Quarterback Plans & Other Things We Learned From John Schneider & Mike Macdonald’s Pre-Draft Press Conference – Seattle Seahawks
2025-04-21T23:57:35Z
News and notes from Seahawks general manager and president of football operations John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald’s pre-draft press conference.
Seahawks.com Senior Reporter With the NFL draft rapidly approaching, Seahawks general manager and president of football operations John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald met with the media on Monday to talk about the upcoming draft, the state of the team, and several other topics. Like the decision makers for every other NFL team, Schneider and Macdonald weren’t about to volunteer any details on the Seattle’s draft plans, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t some informative and interesting takeaways from their session with the media. With that in mind, here are five things we learned from Schneider and Macdonald on Monday: It has been an eventful offseason for the Seahawks at the game’s most important position. Geno Smith, the team’s starter for the past three seasons, was traded to Las Vegas last month, with the Seahawks quickly replacing him by signing Sam Darnold, who was coming off a Pro Bowl season in which he helped the Vikings to a 14-3 record. The Seahawks also signed Drew Lock, meaning they have three quarterbacks with significant starting experience in Darnold, Lock and Sam Howell, who was Smith’s backup last year but who started 17 games for the Commanders in 2023. The Seahawks also like the potential of Jaren Hall, a 2023 fifth-round pick who they signed last season. “We’re excited to have those four quarterbacks, we have three quarterbacks that have thrown for over 3,000 yards in a season, and all of them can move,” Schneider said. “That’s a cool group. “Getting Drew back here—Drew’s very well respected in the building, so it’s great to get him back here in the mix. He had other opportunities, and we stayed in touch with his agent. We spent time with him down in Florida so Mike could get to know him a little bit when we were down there. He’s a great person, great competitor to add to this building.” Asked what the addition of Lock means for Howell, Macdonald said, “It means that those guys are going to be competing. Both guys know that, and Jaren’s part of the mix too, he can compete with those guys. But anytime you’re adding competition to a room on a football team, it’s good for us, especially when they’re great players and great guys, it’s going to be fun to see how it shakes out.” While the Seahawks have carried two quarterbacks on their 53-man roster more often than not, keeping a third on the practice squad, Schneider said he would be comfortable keeping three depending on how things play out. And having those four quarterbacks doesn’t necessarily mean the Seahawks are done adding to that position. When asked if the addition of Lock changes the Seahawks’ plans in the draft, Schneider said, “No. It’s just hard to maneuver around with quarterbacks.” Schneider explained that, as much as he’d love to draft quarterbacks more often, there are so few available in any given draft, meaning the way a draft falls doesn’t always line up with Seattle’s draft board. And rather than reach to add a quarterback out of need, the Seahawks would rather stock up on that position ahead of time to give themselves more flexibility to draft the best player available at any given draft slot. “I’ve talked about it before, we’ve only drafted two (quarterbacks),” Schneider said. “You’ve got to be careful how far you push those guys… What’s happened, especially at that position—it’s the most important position on the team—so yeah, over the years, there’s been a lot of people who have been, I don’t want to say over-drafted, but based on the class, just pushed up.” Schneider was also asked about the report that the teams have inquired about Howell’s availability in a trade, and while Schneider said, “I don’t know; we’re not there yet,” when asked if the Seahawks are open to moving Howell, he confirmed there have been inquiries. “Yeah, that’s accurate,” Schneider said. “We have a great relationship with Bruce (Tollner), his agent, and Bruce is very well known and respected throughout the national Football League and he has a ton of contacts, so it’s a very open dialogue.” Because of the trades the Seahawks made this offseason, sending DK Metcalf to Pittsburgh and Geno Smith to Las Vegas, they have five picks in the first three rounds, the type of draft capital that gives the Seahawks a chance to add a bunch of good players, or to move around in the draft should they so desire. “It’s exciting,” Schneider said. “We were in there yesterday afternoon staring at (the draft board) for a while. It’s fun. There’s a lot of room for activity. It just provides us with more opportunities to either just stay and pick good players, or maneuver around.” And part of what makes having those picks even more fun is that the Seahawks will head into the draft feeling like they don’t have to force anything thanks to the roster that’s already in place. “We like it,” Schneider said when asked about the state of the roster. “We like where we’re at.” Macdonald then cut in, saying, “Fired up.” “We think we can just pick darn good football players,” Schneider added. It’s not secret that the Seahawks want to improve on their offensive line. The Seahawks are young up front, and at guard and center, they have young talent, but not a ton of starting experience. But while it’s very likely that the Seahawks will try to add to their line in the draft, so too will a lot of other teams. As Schneider has discussed in the past, and did again on Monday, there are just fewer quality offensive linemen to go around than there were a decade or two ago. Some of that has to do with the fact that the best and most athletic big men gravitate to the defensive line, which comes with more glory and oftentimes better paychecks, while some of it has to do with offenses being run in high school and college that don’t produce as many NFL-ready linemen. Schneider also pointed out that NFL Europe, which folded in 2007, has hurt player development, particularly at offensive line and quarterback. “I think it’s an area of need, absolutely,” Schneider said. “I think it’s been very well documented throughout the spring. But it’s also a little bit of a lazy narrative because every team is looking for offensive linemen. We’re trying to create guys every single year. It used to be when I started in the league with Ron Wolf, it was a free agent had to have three redeeming qualities. Now, especially with offensive linemen, you have guys maybe in the fourth round that have two redeeming qualities: tall and long, strong and quick, whatever. It’s just happened. It’s not anything that anybody in football is happy about, to be honest with you. It’s an area that hasn’t been developed as well as the other side of the ball for one reason or another. I think it just fundamentally comes down to, like, if you’re going to be playing football at a young age, you want to go sack the quarterback and do your sack dance, or do you want to go block for a running back or a quarterback? I think it comes down to that.” Beginning in 2011, NFL teams can exercise a fifth-year option on first-round picks, but have to make that decision prior to the player’s fourth season. This year, the deadline to exercise that option is May 1, and the Seahawks have a decision to make on left tackle Charles Cross. Using the fifth-year option doesn’t preclude a long-term extension from getting done, but it would at least assure the Seahawks one more season of stability at left tackle while potentially working out an extension with Cross. Previously, the Seahawks have not used the fifth-year option, but Cross could well be a candidate to have his option picked up considering his level of play and the importance of the position he plays. If the Seahawks have decided to pick up Cross’ option, Schneider wasn’t ready to say so just yet. “We’ll answer that at a later date,” he said. The Seahawks have made some significant changes this offseason, especially on offense. Not only have the Seahawks moved on from Geno Smith, Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf while adding the likes of Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, they also overhauled the offensive coaching staff, with Klint Kubiak taking over as offensive coordinator. But while a lot has changed for the Seahawks coming off a 10-7 season that saw them barely miss the playoffs, what hasn’t changed is that players and coaches alike are optimistic about the direction of the team. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm,” Macdonald said. “Our guys are really excited. I’m going off of the conversations I’ve had with the guys on our roster. It’s not to make a comment about the guys that were here and the guys that are here, it’s just, there’s a lot of respect for the guys that are on our football team, and a lot of prior relationships too that have kind of come back into the mold, so guys are excited about renewing that relationship that they’ve had with those guys, and being in this setting here at the VMAC every day. So I’m really encouraged and really excited.” Check out photos of every player selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the NFL Draft since 1976. The Seahawks drafted Notre Dame defensive tackle Steve Niehaus with the 2nd overall pick in the 1st round of the 1976 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Tulsa tackle Steve August with the 14th overall pick in the 1st round of the 1977 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Memphis defensive back Keith Simpson with the 9th overall pick in the 1st round of the 1978 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted UCLA defensive tackle Manu Tuiasosopo with the 18th overall pick in the 1st round of the 1979 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Texas A&M defensive end Jacob Green with the 10th overall pick in the 1st round of the 1980 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted UCLA defensive back Kenny Easley with the 4th overall pick in the 1st round of the 1981 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Clemson defensive end Jeff Bryant with the 6th overall pick in the 1st round of the 1982 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Penn State running back Curt Warner with the 3rd overall pick in the 1st round of 1983 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Southern Illinois defensive back Terry Taylor with the 22nd overall pick in the 1st round of the 1984 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Florida fullback John L. Williams with the 15th overall pick in the 1st round of the 1986 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Pittsburgh defensive end Tony Woods with the 18th overall pick in the 1st round of the 1987 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Notre Dame tackle Andy Heck with the 15th overall pick in the 1st round of the 1989 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Miami defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy with the 3rd overall pick in the 1st round of the 1990 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted San Diego State quarteback Dan McGwire with the 16th overall pick in the 1st round of the 1991 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Virginia tackle Ray Roberts with the 10th overall pick in the 1st round of the 1992 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Notre Dame quarterback Rick Mirer with the 2nd overall pick in the 1st round of the 1993 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Texas A&M defensive tackle Sam Adams with the 8th overall pick in the 1st round of the 1994 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Ohio State wide receiver Joey Galloway with the 8th overall pick in the 1st round of the 1995 Draft. The Seahawks drafted Boston College guard Pete Kendall with the 21st overall pick in the 1st round of the 1996 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Ohio State defensive back Shawn Springs with the 3rd overall pick in the 1st round of the 1997 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Florida State tackle Walter Jones with the 6th overall pick in the 1st round of the 1997 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Clemson linebacker Anthony Simmons with the 15th overall pick of the 1998 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Saginaw Valley State defensive end Lamar King with the 22nd overall pick in the 1st round of the 1999 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Alabama running back Shaun Alexander with 19th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2000 NFL Draft. Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren introduces first-round draft picks Shawn Alexander, left, and Chris McIntosh, right, during a press conference at Seahawks headquarters in Kirkland, Wash., Sunday, April 16, 2000. Alexander, a running back from Alabama, was the 19th pick, and McIntoish, an offensive tackle from Wisconsin, was the 22nd pick. (AP Photo/Jay Drowns) The Seahawks drafted N.C. State wide receiver Koren Robinson with the 9th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2001 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Michigan guard Steve Hutchinson with the 17th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2001 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Washington tight end Jerramy Stevens with the 28th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2002 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Washington State cornerback Marcus Trufant with the 11th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2003 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Texas defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs with the 23rd overall pick of the 1st round of the 2004 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Ole Miss center Chris Spencer with the 26th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2005 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Miami cornerback Kelly Jennings with the 31st overall pick in the 1st round of the 2006 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted USC defensive end Lawrence Jackson with the 28th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2008 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry with the 4th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2009 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Oklahoma State tackle Russell Okung with the 6th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2010 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Texas safety Earl Thomas with the 14th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2010 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Alabama tackle James Carpenter with the 25th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2011 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted West Virginia linebacker Bruce Irvin with the 15th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Texas A&M tackle Germain Ifedi with the 31st overall pick in the 1st round of the 2016 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted San Diego State running back Rashaad Penny with the 27th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted TCU defensive end L.J. Collier with the 29th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks with the 27th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Mississippi State tackle Charles Cross with the 9th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon with the 5th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba with the 20th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Seahawks drafted Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II with the 16th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Your one-stop shop for Seahawks draft coverage ahead of Thursday’s start of the 2025 NFL Draft. NFL Draft analyst Rob Rang projects what the Seahawks could do with all 10 of their selections in the 2025 draft. NFL Draft analyst Rob Rang projects who the Seahawks might select if focusing strictly on offensive prospects available in the 2025 NFL draft. The NFL announced two Seahawks Legends Richard Sherman and Shaun Alexander will each announce a pick on Day 2 of the NFL Draft in Green Bay. A look at where the Seahawks stand at quarterback heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, as well as draft analyst Rob Rang’s top-ranked prospects at that position. A look at where the Seahawks stand at cornerback heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, as well as draft analyst Rob Rang’s top-ranked prospects at that position. A look at where the Seahawks stand at receiver heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, as well as draft analyst Rob Rang’s top-ranked prospects at that position. A look at where the Seahawks stand at safety heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, as well as draft analyst Rob Rang’s top-ranked prospects at that position. A look at where the Seahawks stand at running back heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, as well as draft analyst Rob Rang’s top-ranked prospects at that position. A look at where the Seahawks stand at linebacker heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, as well as draft analyst Rob Rang’s top-ranked prospects at that position. A look at where the Seahawks stand at tight end heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, as well as draft analyst Rob Rang’s top-ranked prospects at that position. Seahawks Schedule Challenge Think you can guess the 2025 Season Schedule? Predict the Schedule for your chance to win 2 tickets to a Seahawks Home Game plus a $500 Delta Gift Card! 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