John Schneider talks Seahawks free agents at the NFL combine on Wednesday

John Schneider talked with the NFL media at the combine on Wednesday and gave some insight as to the Seahawks free agents.

The NFL combine is fun for several reasons. First, teams get to scout players. Secondly, though, fans get to hear their favorite team’s coach and general manager discuss the state of the union for their team. Seahawks general manager John Schneider discussed Seattle football on Wednesday.

Interestingly enough, the first question Schneider was asked was about Rashaad Penny. I am uncertain if Penny’s mother was in the audience and got to ask the question, though. There are so many other pressing questions about Seattle’s 2019 offseason that starting with one about Penny seemed odd.

To sum up the question and answer about Penny, the question was basically, “Will Penny get the ball more in 2019?” And Schneider basically said, “Yeah, probably.”

Here are some other (more) interesting topics Schneider discussed.

Seahawks draft classes

Schneider admitted to making some mistakes in his choices of players over the last four or five years. He did specifically state that drafting Malik McDowell ended up being a mistake. But what Schneider said were his real errors came in not drafting players “willing to take somebody’s job.” Schneider found that too many of his draft picks were too in awe of players like Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman. He did say that the last two draft classes have done a “nice job,” though.

Frank Clark returning to Seattle?

Schneider said that he and Frank Clark have a “great relationship” and a “strong level of trust.” This is great, but now Schneider needs to translate all that good feeling into extending Clark. The defensive end is absolutely necessary for the Seahawks to have a good season in 2019.

Russell Wilson happy in Seattle?

Schneider said the correct and common-sensical thing by stating that while Seattle has “been in communication with (Russell Wilson‘s agent) Mark (Rodgers)” that Seattle has actual free agents in 2019 that they need to address. Wilson is not a free agent until 2020 but Frank Clark is a free agent this offseason. Certain players have priority at this point as they should.

Earl Thomas re-signing in Seattle

Schneider might as well have said, “Earl Thomas isn’t coming back.” And there is nothing wrong with a player like Thomas who puts himself before the team not returning. The Seahawks don’t need Thomas in the locker room. The question was asked if Seattle and Thomas had been in contact about a new contract and Schneider simply said, “No.” And followed that up by saying that Thomas is a “free agent and he’s going to test free agency.” Thomas won’t be back.