John Schneider's vindication: How his roster moves helped make the Seahawks contenders again

The Seahawks won a franchise-record 14 games and secured the NFC's No. 1 seed, and general manager John Schneider led a season of roster changes that included major free-agent signings and several high draft picks.

John Schneider is described as a central architect of the Seahawks' turnaround this season. Seattle finished with 14 wins for the first time in franchise history and claimed the NFC's top seed. Schneider, hired as general manager in 2010, worked with head coach Mike Macdonald on roster decisions and cultural alignment. The article profiles how free-agent signings, draft investments and quieter roster moves combined to produce the team's results. Key details: - Seattle recorded 14 wins and secured the NFC's No. 1 seed for the season discussed. - Schneider's 2025 free-agent additions included Sam Darnold ($100.5 million), Cooper Kupp ($45 million) and DeMarcus Lawrence ($32.5 million). - Sam Darnold and DeMarcus Lawrence were named to the Pro Bowl; Cooper Kupp is noted for leadership and mentorship despite limited on-field production. - Recent first-round investments cited include Charles Cross, Devon Witherspoon, Jaxon Smith‑Njigba and Byron Murphy II, with Grey Zabel and rookie Nick Emmanwori highlighted as key contributors. - The organization rebranded the practice squad as the "ready squad" and emphasized lower-profile acquisitions such as Drake Thomas, Josh Jobe, Ty Okada and Josh Jones as meaningful contributors. Summary: Seattle's top seed and franchise-best win total are presented as outcomes of coordinated roster building and coaching alignment between John Schneider's front office and Mike Macdonald's staff. The team's postseason results and any individual executive awards remain undetermined at this time.