Seahawks’ trade deadline masterclass on display in 49ers rout

When it comes to trades, Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider is most known for the blockbuster Russell Wilson, Geno Smith and DK Metcalf deals he swung in recent offseasons, all three of which look like strokes of genius in hindsight.

But in recent years, Schneider also pulled off a trio of wildly successful moves at the trade deadline, adding Leonard Williams in 2023, Ernest Jones IV in 2024 and Rashid Shaheed in 2025.

Those trade deadline additions were on full display Saturday night, with all three players starring in Seattle’s 41-6 beatdown of the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round.

Seahawks ride all-three-phases formula to NFC title game

Shaheed returned the opening kickoff for a 95-yard touchdown and added a pair of key plays on offense. Jones delivered a pair of takeaways with a forced fumble and an interception. And Williams was his usual dominant self up front, highlighted by a fourth-down sack that more or less stuck the final nail in the coffin to the 49ers’ season.

“Our philosophy is we’re just constantly chasing it,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said of Schneider’s in-season trading success.

“What are the things that we can do to make our team better all the time? Whether it’s through acquisition, or a period in practice, or maybe it’s something pregame, scheme, personnel – all those things, it’s a relentless attitude to try to always make the team better.”

The sparkplug

Shaheed now has three kick or punt return touchdowns in 10 games since the Seahawks acquired him from the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 4 in exchange for a pair of later-round draft picks.

In Week 14, the speedy Shaheed took back the opening second-half kickoff for a 100-yard score that broke a 6-6 tie and sparked a 37-9 rout of the Atlanta Falcons.

In a massive Week 16 showdown, Shaheed’s 58-yard punt return score ignited a stunning 16-point fourth-quarter rally in Seattle’s dramatic 38-37 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams.

And on Saturday night, Shaheed sent an already-electric Lumen Field crowd into a fever pitch while racing down the sideline to give the Seahawks a 7-0 lead just 13 seconds into the game.

Shaheed also helped key a pair of touchdown drives on Saturday night. He drew a 23-yard pass interference penalty that set up a first-and-goal late in the first quarter, and he raced around the edge for a 30-yard gain on a reverse during an 80-yard TD march shortly before halftime.

“Honestly, I was just in awe,” Seahawks star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba said of Shaheed’s game-opening return. “… He’s electric, and he’s added something to this team that’s special.”

RASHID SHAHEED 95-YARD KICKOFF RETURN TO START THE GAME.

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The playmaking linebacker

In October 2024, the Seahawks swapped linebackers with the Titans, sending then-starter Jerome Baker and a fourth-round pick to Tennessee in exchange for Jones.

The move worked to perfection.

Jones quickly emerged as a team leader while helping spark Seattle’s 2024 midseason defensive turnaround, then re-signed with the Seahawks last March and delivered an All-Pro campaign this fall.

In addition to his steady run defense at middle linebacker, Jones also emerged as a playmaking machine this fall with five interceptions and seven pass breakups. His five interceptions were the most by a linebacker in franchise history and were tied for second-most among all NFL players this season.

Jones, despite dealing with an illness earlier in the week, forced two more takeaways Saturday night.

On the 49ers’ second series of the game, Jones stripped the ball free from tight end Jake Tonges on a completion over the middle. Safety Julian Love recovered the fumble, setting up Seattle’s offense for a quick TD drive that made it 17-0 before the end of the first quarter.

And in the third quarter, Jones outmuscled 49ers tight end Luke Farrell to snatch an interception over the middle.

“Look, this guy was not in a good spot on (Wednesday),” Macdonald said of the illness Jones was battling. “So for him to kind of get up to speed, get ready to play – the guys follow his lead. Two tremendous plays to really change the course of the game with those takeaways.”

That Seattle defense came to play.

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The game-wrecking force

In October 2023, Seattle dealt a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick to the New York Giants in exchange for the 6-foot-5, 310-pound Williams, who then re-signed with the Seahawks in March 2024.

The 11-year veteran has played the best football of his career since coming to the Pacific Northwest. He’s totaled 22 sacks and 34 tackles for loss in 43 regular-season games with the Seahawks, serving as a game-wrecking disruptor in the trenches while earning two Pro Bowl nods and an All-Pro selection.

Williams helped Seattle’s swarming defense unleash relentless havoc on 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, matching veteran teammate DeMarcus Lawrence with a team-high six pressures on Saturday night, according to Pro Football Focus.

Williams’ biggest play came early in the third quarter, with the 49ers down 24-6 and facing a fourth-and-2 from just inside midfield. Williams stormed into the backfield on a pass rush and engulfed Purdy, taking him down for a 14-yard loss that essentially ended any last flicker of hope for a miraculous 49ers comeback.

“This defense is amazing. It’s fun to play with them,” Williams said. “Mike (Macdonald) has his slogan, ‘loose and focused,’ that he’s been instilling in this team since the day he got here. I think that’s really what has allowed this team to play so free, play so fast.

“We just believe in one another, we trust one another, and regardless of where we’re at on the field, when we take the field, we trust in ourselves. We trust in the guy next to us and we get the job done.”

Leonard Williams SACK on 4th down!

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— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2026

More Seattle Seahawks coverage

• Stacy Rost: 3 takeaways from Seattle Seahawks’ drubbing of 49ers
• Instant Reaction: Seattle Seahawks dominate 49ers in Divisional Round
• Seahawks Injuries: What Macdonald said about Cross, Charbonnet
• Seattle Seahawks rout 49ers to reach NFC Championship Game
• Seattle Seahawks open playoff run with return TD vs 49ers

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