Wyman: Credit to Schneider for Super Bowl-bound Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks radio network analyst and former NFL linebacker Dave Wyman had some praise for GM John Schneider after the team's NFC Championship victory.

BY SEATTLESPORTS.COM STAFF

Jan 25, 2026, 9:09 PM

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After each season, and sometimes in the middle of one, teams across the NFL experience major change in their front offices, coaching staffs and oftentimes both.

Continuity is a valuable commodity in the NFL, and there are plenty of teams wishing they could have the same level of continuity the Seattle Seahawks have.

Seahawks beat Rams | Instant Reaction | Box score

While head coach Mike Macdonald is still just in his second season, the man at the top, general manager John Schneider, is in his 16th campaign with the franchise.

This week Schneider finally got the recognition many believed he deserved more than a decade when he was named Executive of the Year for the 2025 season on Thursday.

After Sunday’s 31-27 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship, Seahawks Radio Network analyst and one half of Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob, Dave Wyman, had some more praise to throw Schneider’s way.

Wyman pointed to Schneider and Co.’s decision to make the switch at quarterback this offseason from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold. It paid off in a major way, which was on display at a level against the Rams that it hadn’t been for much of the season.

Considering the stage, Darnold delivered the best game of his career against the Rams. He completed 25 of 36 passes (69.4%) for 346 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. It was a performance that went throw-for-throw with Rams quarterback and MVP candidate Matthew Stafford.

“John Schneider (is) so deserving. Such a great dude. But also just getting the right guys in here and having the guts to switch quarterbacks (and) bring in Sam Darnold,” Wyman said during his praise of Schneider postgame. “It’s funny, I was talking to my wife this week and I go, ‘Sam Darnold’s the only player to ever have back-to-back seasons going 14-3.’ And she goes, ‘Well, why did Minnesota let him go?’ That’s a great question. They shouldn’t have. John and Mike believed in him, and it just worked out famously.

“But then just also all the guys that he brought in in the draft and just the transition on offense has been phenomenal.”

A slew of Schneider’s recent draft picks played significant roles in Sunday’s win.

That included running back Kenneth Walker III, a 2022 selection, accounting for one TD and 111 yards from scrimmage.

Cornerback Devon Witherspoon and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, both 2023 first-rounders, came up with some of the biggest plays of the game. Witherspoon broke up back-to-back passes in the end zone to thwart the Rams’ best chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter, and Smith-Njigba had 10 catches for 153 and a TD.

And 2025 second-round pick Nick Emannwori had consecutive pass break-ups late in the first half to get Seattle the ball back with enough time get a quick touchdown before the break, which were among several key plays made by Emmanwori against the Rams.

“Much-deserved win and title,” said Wyman, a former NFL linebacker. “It’s unbelievable.”