Dec 11, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald reacts on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Prayers answered, Seahawks welcome head coach Mike Macdonald

Forgive Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider for the confession that he was in church praying for the Baltimore Ravens to lose in the AFC Championship Game.

But it was the only result that could have made introducing Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald as Seattle’s new coach on Thursday a reality.

Schneider interviewed Macdonald and Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson after their respective teams lost on Sunday, falling one win shy of the Super Bowl. With ownership blessing his decision, Schneider helped shift Macdonald’s mood and offered the 36-year-old a six-year contract in a “leap of faith” change of direction from 72-year-old Pete Carroll.

“This is a humbling, humbling feeling that I’m feeling right now in front of everybody,” Macdonald said. “I understand where this organization wants to go. And I feel like we’re aligned on how we want to get there. and just juiced to go do it.”

Macdonald’s meteoric rise in coaching ranks largely was a prolonged climb up the ladder in Baltimore, where he spent nine of the past 10 seasons with a one-year hiatus serving as Jim Harbaugh’s defensive coordinator at Michigan. He built the Ravens’ defense into the top-ranked unit in the NFL this season and brings a feather in his cap of demoralizing rival San Francisco in December. He also interviewed in January to be head coach of the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Chargers, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans.

The Chiefs scored 17 points to beat the Ravens in the AFC title game, and not many did better against Macdonald this season. His defense became the first to lead the league in points allowed per game (16.5), sacks (60) and takeaways (31) in 2023.

Macdonald plans to continue as the primary defensive playcaller while tackling head-coaching duties for the first time 14 years after being hired as a graduate assistant at the University of Georgia. He described the sense of knowing it was the right fit with Seattle and Schneider during their first interview in Baltimore last month. Schneider said he had the same first impression, but was muted by NFL rules prohibiting further talks with assistant coaches whose teams were still playing.

“He crushed it, we flew back here and it was on,” Schneider said. “It was natural — easy and clear.

“Mike is a learning networker, not a climbing networker. When you sit down with him, you know why.”

Macdonald said he plans to hire a coordinator and playcaller on the other side of the ball who will install a “physical and explosive” brand of offense, with candidates already in queue.

“We’re not sure what we’re good at yet,” Macdonald said.

Seattle is projected $4 million over the salary cap entering free agency and has significant decisions to make. One involves quarterback Geno Smith, who turned in a wretched performance — 13 of 28, four sacks, one interception — in a 37-3 loss to the Ravens this season. Schneider revealed Thursday that game was one of two instances that left him saying “We’ll never look like this again.”

Schneider has credited Smith with helping the Seahawks rebound quickly from trading Russell Wilson, and echoed the importance of maintaining the positive culture Carroll helped instill over 14 seasons that included two Super Bowl appearances and one Lombardi Trophy. And releasing Smith comes with a cap hit over $30 million for 2024.

“We want to keep our positive culture,” Schneider said. “Everything that’s been created here, everything in this building. There are so many special people in this building. It’s amazing to be on the phone with all of these agents and people that are interested in this position, and to be able to explain to them like, ‘Hey. There’s a foundation here and it’s incredible.’”

–Field Level Media

Oct 2, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll with GM John Schneider pre game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Seahawks’ coaching search ‘wide open’; hire will report to GM

John Schneider’s partnership with Pete Carroll resulted in one Lombardi Trophy and another Super Bowl appearance. Now, Schneider said he must “look forward” as he helps lead the Seattle Seahawks’ search for a new head coach.

Schneider met with reporters Tuesday for the first time since the Seahawks announced Carroll would not remain their head coach after 14 seasons.

Carroll, 72, will assume an advisory role within the organization instead.

“Pretty emotional press conference the other day,” Schneider said. “When I say your emotions are all over the place, it’s moving on from a very, very historic partnership and amazing, amazing level of success and achievement that Pete and myself are extremely proud of.

“I look forward to being able to call Pete and text him. He’s already texting me like crazy all the time like, ‘Hey Johnny, what’s going on with this and that?’”

It marks Schneider’s first search for a head coach. He and Carroll joined Seattle in the same offseason in 2010. Schneider joked that he was prepared to lead that head-coaching search but found out the franchise had already decided on Carroll.

Carroll reported directly to owner Jody Allen, who has controlled the team since her brother Paul Allen passed away in 2018. But now, the structure will change and the eventual hire and his staff will report to Schneider.

“Our setup earlier was … the coaching staff did not fall under my umbrella, and now it will,” Schneider said. “It’s not necessarily a Jody Allen decision or choosing this person or that person, it’s just a contractual situation.”

Schneider said the team has not decided whether to consider candidates from the college ranks. Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh — Carroll’s old rival in both the Pac-12 and the NFC West — is testing the NFL waters again, having interviewed with the Los Angeles Chargers.

“It’s wide open still,” Schneider said. “There’s so much movement in college football already.”

The Seahawks have requested interviews with at least eight candidates, per multiple reports:

–Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero
–Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham
–Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson
–New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka
–Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris
–Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn
–Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik
–Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith

Schneider said Jody Allen has been “concise” in describing what she wants the Seahawks’ next head coach to bring.

“We want to keep our positive culture, everything that’s been created here … ” Schneider said.

“There’s so many special people in this building. It’s amazing to be on the phone with all these agents and the people that are interested in this position and to be able to explain to them, ‘Hey, there’s a foundation here that’s incredible.’”

–Field Level Media

Aug 26, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll (right) congratulates quarterback Geno Smith (7) as he comes off  the field in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

GM, coach laud Geno Smith’s self belief behind career year

With a new three-year, $105 million contract in tow, Geno Smith was celebrated as the quarterback of the present for the Seattle Seahawks.

In a press conference at team headquarters Thursday, Smith was showered with appreciation from the Seahawks for his commitment to the franchise and belief in himself. Smith stepped into a starting role, which was never truly contested by Drew Lock, after the Seahawks traded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos last March.

The 32-year-old Smith delivered while making $3.5 million last season, guiding the Seahawks to a wildcard playoff spot, earning a Pro Bowl nod and now cashing in with a contract that could pay him 30 times his 2022 rate.

“There were a lot of years when Geno just had to sit there, waiting,” head coach Pete Carroll said, seated to Smith’s right and opposite general manager John Schneider at a press conference Thursday afternoon. “The story that has been unveiled about believing in yourself and confidence and trust and never giving up is just a vivid illustration of Geno. He always knew. He always knew he could do this. When it happened, the opportunity was there, and you handled it so flawlessly.”

Carroll said Smith approached the Seahawks about a team-friendly deal that ties more than $30 million to incentives and performance bonuses. Carroll said he wasn’t surprised to hear Smith say his concern was leaving the team room to build a championship team around him.

“I believe in team first,” Smith said Thursday.

Smith was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2022. He was a backup for seven seasons with four different teams and all but discounted as a serious option to be Seattle’s starter for even one season. He set franchise single-season records for passing yards (4,282), completions (399), completion percentage (69.8) and pass attempts (572), breaking three previous Wilson records.

“I know you know this, but what an inspiration you’ve been to men, women, young, old, all around the country,” Schneider said. “Lessons about faith, perseverance, work ethic. Being a good person, man. Watching you last year was awesome, and I know you’re super-excited about the future. So thank you to you.”

Last week, Schneider said at the NFL Scouting Combine the Seahawks are digging deep into the quarterbacks in the 2023 draft, and Carroll called the No. 5 pick — part of the return from the trade return from the Broncos for Wilson — a “rare opportunity.”

Schneider, raised in the Green Bay scouting department where quarterback insurance was a top priority, nodded and smiled when asked if Seattle could keep Smith and spend a high pick on a quarterback in the 2023 draft.

“They don’t grow on trees,” he said.

–Field Level Media

Jun 12, 2018; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, right, and general manager John Schneider observe minicamp practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Seahawks GM John Schneider signs contract extension

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider, the architect of two Super Bowl teams, signed a contract extension to remain with the team for six more years.

The team did not announce financial terms for Schneider, who is in his 11th season in the role. Speculation had been building that teams with GM openings, including the Detroit Lions, would pursue him.

His previous contract would have expired after the 2022 draft.

“I am pleased to announce that we have extended the contract of general manager John Schneider through the 2027 draft,” team chairperson Jody Allen said in a news release Tuesday. “For the last decade, John and head coach Pete Carroll have formed a tremendous partnership and the Seahawks have established a successful, unique, and truly winning culture respected throughout sports. I know we are all excited to see that continue.”

Carroll is signed through the 2025 season.

Schneider and Carroll have been together since 2010. In that time, the Seahawks have reached the postseason nine times, including eight of the past nine seasons. They have won five NFC West titles and two NFC championships.

Seattle won Super Bowl XLVIII on Feb. 2, 2014, defeating the Denver Broncos 43-8. They lost Super Bowl XLIX the following season, defeated by the New England Patriots 28-24.

The Seahawks have nine straight winning seasons — the longest mark in the NFL. They finished 2020 with a 12-4 mark and won the NFC West, but lost Saturday’s wild-card game to the Los Angeles Rams, 30-20.

Before joining the Seahawks, Schneider, 49, held a variety of NFL jobs. He was with the Green Bay Packers for eight seasons, joining the team in March 2002 before being promoted to director of football operations in May 2008.

–Field Level Media