John Schneider will return for his 17th season as Seattle Seahawks general manager this fall. But the organization will go through significant changes with the rest of its front office.
The Seahawks announced those changes Wednesday.
Most notably, the team has promoted Matt Berry and Willie Schneider both to the assistant general manager role. They will replace Nolan Teasley, who left to become the general manager of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Seahawks also announced four changes to their player personnel staff. The shuffling of the organization’s front office came days after the team also lost vice president of player personnel Trent Kirchner to the Vikings.
In Minnesota, Kirchner will be one of the new Vikings assistant general managers.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero addressed the promotions on X a couple hours after the Seahawks announced the changes.
“With Nolan Teasley and Trent Kirchner off to Minnesota after a second Super Bowl win, GM John Schneider rewards Berry, who interviews for the Titans GM job last year, and his nephew Willie, a rising star,” wrote Pelissero.
With Nolan Teasley and Trent Kirchner off to Minnesota after a second Super Bowl win, GM John Schneider rewards Berry, who interviewed for the Titans GM job last
Seahawks Promote 2 Executives to Assistant General Manager
Seattle didn’t lose too many players from its Super Bowl roster this offseason. But the organization experienced poaching first from its coaching staff and now the front office.
The latter led to the Seahawks making changes to the roles of several executives.
In addition to Berry and Schneider becoming assistant general managers, the Seahawks announced new titles for Aaron Hineline, Armani Perez, Jason Barnes and Patrick Ward.
Hineline is Seattle’s new director of player personnel while Perez is becoming the team’s director of pro personnel. Meanwhile, Barnes is the new director of college scouting while Ward will become the vice president/research & analytics.
On top of announcing those changes, the Seahawks took the time Wednesday to commend Berry, Schneider, Hineline, Perez, Barnes and Ward for their contributions to last year’s Super Bowl run.
“All six played big roles in helping John Schneider build the team that won Super Bowl LX earlier this year, and Berry, Hineline and Barnes were also part of the front office that built the Super Bowl XLVIII winning squad,” wrote Seahawks.com’s John Boyle. “Since Schneider took over as general manager in 2010, the Seahawks have reached the postseason 11 times in 16 seasons, winning six NFC West titles, three NFC championships and two Super Bowls.
“In 16 seasons under Schneider the Seahawks have drafted 16 players who have been named to the Pro Bowl, and 11 who have earned AP All-Pro honors. Additionally, 20 players acquired via free agency or trades have earned Pro-Bowl honors over that span, while six have been named first or second-team All-Pro.”
Seahawks Lost Nolan Teasley, Trent Kirchner to Vikings
Also in Wednesday’s announcement, the Seahawks acknowledged losing their executives to the Vikings.
Former Seahawks pro scout Azzaam Kapadia is a third member of Seattle’s most recent championship team who is heading to Minnesota.
“I wish Nolan, Trent and Azzaam well in Minnesota, and I’m excited to be able to promote from within to maintain the culture and continuity in the personnel department,” said John Schneider. “I love our core group of guys and we all enjoy working together as we spend so much time building this team throughout the year.”
Kirchner had been with the Seahawks since Schneider became general manager in 2010. Teasley joined the Seahawks the season after they won their first Super Bowl in February 2014.
Seahawks Announce Promoting 2 Front Office Members to New Role