John Schneider helped build the Seahawks into Super Bowl champions early in his tenure as the team's general manager.
Now, more than a decade later, he is once again overseeing one of the league's most formidable teams, one that will play in the NFC championship game this weekend after a 14-3 regular season and a dominant win in the divisional round.
And for the impressive work Schneider has done to build this year's team, he was named Executive of the Year by the Professional Football Writers of America.
It's the first Executive of the Year award for Schneider, though considering what he and Pete Carroll did to build the Seahawks into champions early in their tenure in Seattle, it probably shouldn't be.
The award recognizes the work Schneider did over the past year, but the Seahawks are in the position they are in now because of an incredible four-year stretch of additions, tough decisions, and of course, the hiring of Mike Macdonald as the team's head coach.
Schneider's 2025 resume that made him the obvious choice for Executive of the Year included three home runs in free agency with the signings of quarterback Sam Darnold, outside linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence and receiver Cooper Kupp; a fourth straight draft that added impact players to the Seahawks roster, most notably guard Grey Zabel and safety Nick Emmanwori; the trade for returner/receiver Rashid Shaheed, and a couple of tough decisions that help set the team up for current and future success, including trades that sent Geno Smith to Las Vegas and DK Metcalf to Pittsburgh.
"It really is conviction of what we're trying to build, what we want the Seahawks to be all about," Macdonald said of the job Schneider has done. "He's led the charge. It's really that simple. Then I think his leadership example on a day-to-day basis shows up in so many ways. The spirit of the building, his interaction with everyone. He talks to more people in the building than I do. He's doing his thing all the time. He's been incredibly helpful to me. I was talking to somebody today actually about, I didn't know anything coming in. You're just trying to do the best job you possibly can every day, and he knew when to give you some air to breathe and grow and expand and learn and maybe fall a little bit, and also was there to support you when you needed it. So he's just got a great feel for how to handle those situations, whether it's me or anybody else in the building."
And like any good general manager, Schneider's contributions to the organization go far beyond acquiring talent. Along with Macdonald, Schneider has helped set the tone for a team that has thrived because of the close bonds between players and with a "loose but focused" approach the job. Schneider also led the charge in putting an emphasis on all 70 players, meaning the 53-man roster and the 17-player practice squad, or "ready squad" as they call it, an approach Macdonald has credited for the team getting significant contributions from so many players throughout the season.
"Big shoutout to Schneider and the office up there," defensive tackle Leonard Williams said when asked about how close and unselfish the team is. "I think they're bringing in the right type of people and the right type of guys. I think having a team with no ego, being able to willingly learn from one another with no ego involved is special. I've been on teams where guys have been players of the year, Pro Bowls, All-Pros, and like ego to seep in. I think that's when it's harder to play together as a team sometimes in these moments. I don't think I've ever been on a team that has zero ego. I think it's special."
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 as they get ready to host the L.A. Rams at Lumen Field for the NFC Championship.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Courtney Jackson (84) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) and wide receiver Courtney Jackson (84) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) and nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) and running back George Holani (36) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) and linebacker Chazz Surratt (44)practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Logan Brown (73) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Cam Akers (30) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ja'Markis Weston (46) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (49) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (50) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) and guard Christian Haynes (64) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks offensive lineman Mason Richman (78) and guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Cam Akers (30) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (50) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44), linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (49) and linebacker Ja'Markis Weston (46) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
