John Schneider, a name synonymous with the Seattle Seahawks’ sustained success, embarks on his 15th season as the team’s general manager in 2024, now also holding the title of president of football operations. This expanded role underscores his profound influence on all facets of the Seahawks’ football operations, from roster construction and the NFL Draft to the pivotal head coach hiring process that brought in Mike Macdonald, the Pro Football Writers of America’s 2023 Assistant Coach of the Year. Schneider’s journey with the Seahawks began on January 19, 2010, and his elevation to executive vice president in 2013 further solidified his position as a key figure in the franchise’s modern era.
Entering his 32nd year in professional football in 2024, Schneider’s enduring philosophy centers on building a championship-caliber team through strategic drafting and calculated acquisitions in free agency and trades. This approach has fostered a culture of sustained competitiveness in Seattle, making the Seahawks a consistent contender in the fiercely competitive NFL landscape.
The results of Schneider’s vision are undeniable. Over the past decade-plus, the Seahawks have been a model of consistency, reaching the Divisional Playoffs or beyond an impressive seven times. He meticulously assembled the team that achieved back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, culminating in the franchise’s historic Super Bowl XLVIII victory – the first NFL title for the Seattle Seahawks. Remarkably, this championship was secured with the youngest 53-man roster ever to win a Super Bowl, highlighting Schneider’s ability to identify and cultivate young talent. His exceptional work was recognized in 2012 when Sports Illustrated named him Executive of the Year after the Seahawks’ playoff run that narrowly missed an NFC Championship berth.
During his tenure alongside head coach Pete Carroll from 2010-2023, the Seahawks established themselves as one of the NFL’s elite franchises. Their combined record of 137-89-1 ranked sixth-best in the league during that period, placing them among only seven teams to achieve at least 130 wins. The Seahawks achieved a franchise-first milestone by recording 10 or more wins in five consecutive seasons (2012-2016), and sustained this high level of performance with eight seasons of 10+ wins in the last 12 years, accompanied by five NFC West Division titles.
Schneider’s proactive approach to roster management is evident in the constant evolution of the Seahawks’ lineup. Prior to the 2024 season, he had orchestrated over 3,600 transactions, demonstrating his commitment to building depth and maintaining a highly talented roster.
The 2023 season exemplified Schneider’s draft acumen. Armed with an additional first-round pick (No. 5) acquired in the Russell Wilson trade with Denver, he selected Devon Witherspoon, who quickly emerged as a Defensive Rookie of the Year contender, tying for fifth in the NFL with 16 passes defensed. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (No. 20 overall) also made an immediate impact, recording the second-most receptions by a rookie in Seahawks history with 63.
The Seahawks’ personnel department, under Schneider’s leadership, received the 2022 Best Draft Award from Inside the League founder Neil Stratton, as voted on by fellow scouts and personnel executives. The 2022 draft class was particularly impactful, with seven players making significant contributions across offense, defense, and special teams, including five starters: Coby Bryant, Charles Cross, Abraham Lucas, Kenneth Walker III, and Tariq Woolen. Woolen was a Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist, while Walker contended for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Lucas and Cross made NFL history as the first rookie tackle duo to start their team’s first 15 games since the 1970 merger. The Seahawks led the league in rookie starts (70) and rookie offensive and defensive snaps played (4,868) in 2022, a testament to the immediate impact of Schneider’s draft selections.
While initially criticized outside of Seattle, Schneider’s 2012 draft class has since been recognized as a masterclass in talent evaluation. It yielded potential Hall of Famers Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson, alongside foundational players like Bruce Irvin, Jeremy Lane, and J.R. Sweezy. A 2012 fifth-round pick (Tank Carder) was strategically used in the 2010 trade that brought Marshawn Lynch to Seattle, showcasing Schneider’s long-term vision and resourcefulness.
Throughout his tenure, Schneider has consistently demonstrated a willingness to leverage trades and free agency to acquire additional draft capital and young talent. In his inaugural 2010 NFL Draft, holding two top-14 picks, he secured Pro Bowl tackle Russell Okung and three-time first-team All-Pro safety Earl Thomas, laying the foundation for future success.
Schneider’s strategic use of trades is a hallmark of his general manager style. He orchestrated 13 trades in 2010, 12 in 2017, and 13 in 2019, skillfully accumulating draft assets and adding veteran leadership to the Seahawks roster. His trades have brought in impactful players such as Jamal Adams, Duane Brown, Chris Carson, Kam Chancellor, Chris Clemons, Jadeveon Clowney, Charles Cross, Michael Dickson, Quandre Diggs, Carlos Dunlap II, Jimmy Graham, Percy Harvin, Bruce Irvin, Tyler Lockett, Marshawn Lynch, Boye Mafe, DK Metcalf, Jarran Reed, Richard Sherman, Golden Tate, Bobby Wagner, and Leonard Williams.
Under Schneider’s roster construction, the Seahawks have featured 15 first-team All-Pro selections since 2012. After a period from 2009-2010 without any Pro Bowl selections, Schneider’s tenure has seen 30 different players earn Pro Bowl honors from 2011-2023, including Wagner (9), Wilson (9), Thomas (6), Chancellor (4), Lynch (4), Sherman (4), Michael Bennett (3), Diggs (3), Doug Baldwin (2), Nick Bellore (2), Brown (2), Graham (2), Metcalf (2), Geno Smith (2), Max Unger (2), and single selections for Adams, Avril, Browner, Dickson, Griffin, Lockett, Love, Myers, Okung, Ott, Robinson, Washington, Witherspoon, Wright, and Woolen. Notably, all of these Pro Bowlers, except Unger, were acquired via draft, trade, or free agency after Schneider assumed the GM role.
Prior to his impactful Seahawks career, Schneider spent eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers, joining in 2002 as a personnel analyst and rising to director of football operations in 2008. In Green Bay, he provided strategic counsel to General Manager Ted Thompson, focusing on team needs in free agency and the draft, and contributing to long-range roster planning.
Before his return to Green Bay in 2002, Schneider gained experience with the Kansas City Chiefs (1997-1999), the Seahawks (2000), and the Washington Commanders (2001). His early career included an internship with the Packers in 1992 under Ron Wolf, followed by four years as a pro personnel assistant (1993-1996), where he played a role in assembling the Super Bowl XXXI championship team.
In Kansas City, as director of pro personnel, Schneider oversaw scouting of professional players and advance scouting of opponents. His initial stint with the Seahawks in 2000 reunited him with Thompson and Mike Holmgren, with whom he had worked in Green Bay. In Washington, as vice president of player personnel, he managed all aspects of player personnel and advised Marty Schottenheimer on personnel decisions.
Beyond his football achievements, John and his wife Traci are deeply committed to community engagement through “Ben’s Fund,” established in 2012 and named after their son Ben, to support families affected by autism. “Ben’s Fund” has raised over $5.1 million and awarded over 3,400 grants totaling nearly $3.1 million. They also spearheaded the creation of “Ben’s Room,” a sensory room at Lumen Field, providing a calming space for guests with sensory needs during Seahawks games.
John Schneider’s dedication to the Seattle Seahawks organization and the broader community cements his legacy as a transformative figure. His strategic vision, draft expertise, and commitment to building a winning culture have defined an era of Seahawks football. As he steps into his expanded role as president of football operations, John Schneider is poised to continue shaping the Seahawks’ future and further solidify his place among the NFL’s most respected and accomplished executives.
