Seahawks extend general manager John Schneider through 2026 season

Jan 12, 2021, 11:14 AM | Updated: 11:28 am

GM John Schneider has joined coach Pete Carroll in getting a long-term extension. (Getty)

(Getty)

BY BRENT STECKER

Seattle Sports

John Schneider’s long-term future with the Seahawks is no longer in question.

Heaps: The position the Seahawks must prioritize this offseason

The Seahawks announced late Tuesday morning that they have agreed to a contract extension with their general manager through the 2027 NFL Draft. Schneider was previously under contract only through the 2022 draft.

Schneider, 49, has presided over the longest period of sustained success in Seahawks history alongside Pete Carroll, who helped pick him to be Seattle’s GM shortly after he was hired as head coach in 2010. The Seahawks have made the playoffs nine times in those 11 seasons under Schneider and Carroll and finished the regular season with a winning record in each of the last nine seasons. The Seahawks have also won 10 games or more in eight of the last nine seasons, including 12 in 2020.

“I am pleased to announce that we have extended the contract of general manager John Schneider through the 2027 draft,” said Jody Allen, chair of the Seahawks, in a press release. “For the last decade, John and head coach Pete Carroll have formed a tremendous partnership and the Seahawks have established a successful, unique, and truly winning culture respected throughout sports. I know we are all excited to see that continue.”

Carroll previously agreed to a contract extension through the 2025 season late last year, meaning the Seahawks now have their coach/GM duo under contract for the next five seasons.

Schneider’s name had recently popped up in rumors as the Detroit Lions were reportedly set to make a run at signing him away from Seattle. The Lions were believed to be prepared to give Schneider final say on personnel decisions, which Carroll has in Seattle.

Though Schneider initially made his name on successful drafts that helped build a Super Bowl championship team for the Seahawks, he’s turned to trades more and more in recent seasons.

In 2020 alone, he acquired safety Jamal Adams, cornerback Quinton Dunbar and defensive end Carlos Dunlap in notable deals. Adams earned Pro Bowl and Second Team All-Pro honors, and set the NFL record for sacks by a defensive back in a season with 9.5 despite missing four games. Dunlap had five sacks in eight games with Seattle after his trade from Cincinnati, helping ignite a dramatic turnaround for the Seahawks’ defense in the second half. Dunbar, however, was hindered by a knee injury and played in just six games, and is now set to be a free agent.

Among many key acquisitions the team has made under Schneider in recent seasons, two big highlights would be the second-round draft selection in 2019 of Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf, who set the franchise record for receiving yards in a season in 2020, and picking up surprise standout cornerback D.J. Reed off waivers from the 49ers prior to the 2020 season.

Another draft choice of Schneider’s, franchise quarterback Russell Wilson, shared his thoughts on Twitter shortly after the news of the extension broke.