Seattle Seahawks General Manager John Schneider anticipates continued growth from quarterback Sam Darnold in the upcoming season. Despite leading the team to a 14-win season and a Super Bowl victory, Schneider believes Darnold has even more to offer.

Darnold's Continued Development

Schneider emphasized that Darnold’s second offseason with head coach Mike Macdonald will be crucial. He expects increased comfort and efficiency as Darnold further integrates into the Seahawks’ offensive system. “Yeah, I know it’s crazy to say that because he won 14 games last year,” Schneider told FOX Sports’ Eric D. Williams, “But we’ve always said Sam is just a football player.”

A 'Football Player' Mentality

Schneider clarified what he meant by “football player,” explaining that Darnold seamlessly integrates with the team. “It means the quarterback isn’t separated from the rest of the team,” Schneider said. “He’s one of the guys. And that means he’s a great leader.” This team-first attitude is expected to foster better chemistry with key playmakers.

Building Chemistry and Maintaining Offense

Schneider anticipates improved connections between Darnold and players like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp with more on-field repetitions. The team’s appearance on HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ will provide a close look at this development. Despite the departure of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, the offense will remain largely consistent, as Brian Fleury, who previously worked with Darnold in San Francisco, has been brought in.

“He’s going to be that much more comfortable from being around his team,” Schneider stated. “Just his relationship with Coop and Rashid… He gets another year with Jax, and we have a really cool tight end group.”

Lessons Learned and Roster Replenishment

Schneider is drawing on past experiences, including the Seahawks’ run to back-to-back Super Bowls, to navigate roster adjustments. He acknowledged learning from past mistakes, specifically the importance of acquiring players with a competitive drive. In 2022, Schneider noted the team previously lacked players actively vying for starting positions.

Key Player Retention and Future Draft Strategy

The Seahawks have prioritized retaining core players, most notably signing Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a four-year, $168.6 million contract, making him the league’s highest-paid receiver. Darnold is also under contract for three years at $100.5 million, providing stability at the quarterback position.

While several key players departed in free agency – including Kenneth Walker III, Coby Bryant, Boye Mafe, and Riq Woolen – Schneider focused on re-signing existing players and adding free agents on manageable deals. Looking ahead, the Seahawks are strategically positioning themselves for the 2027 draft, anticipating a deeper pool of talent and projected to have 12 picks, including four compensatory selections.

Foundational Pieces in Place

Schneider emphasized the importance of identifying and securing foundational pieces at key positions. He highlighted the signings of Smith-Njigba and the continued presence of offensive tackles Charles Cross and Abe Lucas as evidence of this strategy. “It’s about identifying what your foundational pieces are,” Schneider explained. “It’s not about those guys in particular, it’s about the position and if you can replace them or not.”