Seahawks GM John Schneider signs contract extension through 2031

The Seattle Seahawks have locked in their longtime football architect, announcing on Wednesday that John Schneider has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the helm through the 2031 season.

Schneider, who has served as the team's general manager and president of football operations since 2010, is now the longest-serving GM in franchise history. While the Seahawks didn't reveal the financial details, the commitment signals the organization's confidence in his leadership moving forward.

"The extension of general manager John Schneider's contract is a testament to his 15-plus years of football leadership and success," Seahawks owner Jody Allen said in a statement.

"I am confident that John will continue to deliver real results and a continued strong partnership with head coach Mike Macdonald that is already contributing to our winning culture on and off the field."

With Schneider steering the front office and Mike Macdonald entering his first season as head coach, the Seahawks appear poised to build a new era of success built on experience, collaboration, and long-term vision.

At 54 years old, John Schneider brings a legacy of success that’s deeply rooted in Seattle. He originally joined the Seahawks back in 2000 as the director of player personnel before returning a decade later to take over as general manager and executive vice president. He didn’t waste time making an impact — guiding Seattle to the playoffs in his first year in charge and hoisting the Lombardi Trophy just three seasons later.

Since Schneider stepped into the GM role in 2010, the Seahawks have been one of the NFL’s most consistent forces. Over his 15-season tenure, Seattle has posted a stellar 147-96-1 record — the sixth-best mark in the league during that span. They’ve reached double-digit wins in nine of those seasons, claimed five NFC West crowns, and earned two NFC Championship titles along the way.

Schneider’s draft record is equally impressive. He’s masterminded some of the finest draft hauls in franchise history, with none more iconic than the legendary 2012 class. That group featured linebacker Bobby Wagner, a generational talent destined for Canton, and quarterback Russell Wilson, who made nine Pro Bowl appearances during his run in the Pacific Northwest. Altogether, Schneider’s draftees have racked up 52 Pro Bowl nods and 14 first-team All-Pro honors, spread across 16 standout players.

It’s clear: few front office executives have built rosters as cleverly and consistently as Schneider — and the Seahawks’ continued faith in him speaks volumes.

After guiding Seattle to a 10-7 finish in 2024, their best campaign since a 12-4 showing in 2020, Mike Macdonald helped steer the franchise into a bold new chapter. John Schneider, ever the architect, oversaw a flurry of headline-grabbing roster moves in March, including the trades of Geno Smith to Las Vegas and DK Metcalf to Pittsburgh. The team also parted ways with longtime fan favorite Tyler Lockett, marking the end of an era on offense.

Had Schneider not inked his contract extension, whispers about his long-term future might've surfaced if 2025 didn’t start on solid ground. But now, as Macdonald enters his second year at the helm and Sam Darnold prepares to take over under center, the Seahawks are bracing for a true litmus test.

With a revamped offense and questions swirling about whether Seattle can reclaim its intimidating home-field edge, all eyes will be on Darnold, especially after his disappointing end to a Pro Bowl campaign with Minnesota. This season offers him a clean slate, and Seattle a shot to reassert itself as a contender.