NFL teams are proposing many rule changes this offseason. Several want to get rid of the Philadelphia Eagles' "tush push." The Seattle Seahawks may be among those wanting that done. But Seattle general manager John Schneider is commenting on something else that he thinks should change.
Before we get there, let's address what the Eagles do. They have a way of snapping the ball, the quarterback gets it, his offensive line pushes forward (and then pushes forward again), and the quarterback can convert short-yardage situations. It gets complex only because opposing defenses are unable to stop the play.
Plus, and let's be honest, other offenses are not able to replicate the play. If they could, no one would be trying to stop it.
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider agrees with the Pittsburgh Steelers
At the same time, what Philly is doing is basically a rugby play that would be unfair in that sport. It is a scrum, and in rugby, both teams can attack at the same time. In the NFL, the offense has the clear advantage because that side snaps the ball, and the defense has to react. Take that as you may.
However, John Schneider agrees with the proposed plan regarding free agency. The Pittsburgh Steelers have proposed a change that would allow teams to meet virtually with an unrestricted free agent during the legal tampering period. Once a player has agreed to a deal, even before free agency officially begins, the team can arrange for travel to meet with that player who has agreed to the new contract.
Speaking on his weekly show on Seattle Sports 710 AM (at least until the 2025 NFL draft), Schneider said, "Pittsburgh presented a rule change that says during (the legal tampering period in the two days before the new league year begins), you can get on an hour-long Zoom call with a prospect and an agent, which I think is a really cool idea."
Schneider thinks that because of the amount of money involved, and the fact that the legal tampering period really means that contracts will be unofficially officially be worked out before free agency starts, teams should have the right to talk with a player over Zoom. It makes sense.
The NFL is allowing players to be signed before they can officially sign the dotted line, so why shouldn't a team be able to meet with them?
Schneider is definitely a proponent of finding out how well a player's personality fits with a team, so the Zoom call would make sense. Of course, that might mean the Seahawks are even slower in making offers to free agents. It seems that a lack of aggressiveness is already an issue. Or maybe that problem relates solely to the poor Seattle offensive line.