For 14 years, Pete Carroll was truly in charge of the on-field product of the Seattle Seahawks. He was the head coach, but he was also the Vice President of Football Operations and had final say over roster moves. General manager John Schneider simply had a great input and worked out getting contracts signed.
That changed when the team decided to move on from Carroll after the 2023 season. Carroll still had a year left on his guaranteed contract, but he was listed as an "advisor" in 2024; he didn't seem to have to do much of that.
Instead, Schneider became the President of Football Operations and took on the duties that most other GMs have. The roster was one made from Schneider's view, and he oversaw the head coach. He was also in charge of hiring the new coach.
Seattle Seahawks' John Schneider named Executive of the Year
While not every move has paid off big for the Seahawks since Carroll was let go, there is no debate that the team is better having Schneider do what Carroll used to do. Hiring Mike Macdonald as head coach was a brilliant move. Trading for linebacker Ernest Jones in the middle of last season was too.
But the reason that John Schneider was named as the Pro Football Writers of America's Executive of the Year this week was because of what the GM was bold enough to do this season. He traded the team's starting quarterback and one of its best receivers. He released another one.
Geno Smith was fairly productive for the Seahawks, but wasn't great in 2024, and he was too temperamental in the locker room. Even on the field, he was too hot-headed many times. He wasn't a good fit on a young team capable of greatness.
After letting Smith go, Seattle was aggressive in signing Sam Darnold in free agency. The Seahawks don't get to 14-3 this season with Geno Smith. They did with Darnold.
The same went for DK Metcalf, who seemingly saw himself as bigger than the team. Schneider and Macdonald wanted to fully change the culture of the team, and ridding the team of Metcalf was a must. Plus, with the draft pick Seattle got back from the Pittsburgh Steelers for Metcalf, Schneider chose sensational rookie defensive back Nick Emmanwori.
Letting Tyler Lockett go was more of a money-saving exercise, but he was diminishing in production. He also wasn't a good blocker. Schneider signed Cooper Kupp to replace Lockett, and the move has worked out fantastically.
The most stunning aspect is that Schneider has gotten the Seattle Seahawks one step from the Super Bowl so quickly after Pete Carroll was removed from his duties. Had Seattle kept Carroll in the same roles, things would be dire. Now, with Schneider in charge, the Seahawks could be a championship team in 2025.