RENTON, Wash. — The confetti from Super Bowl LX has barely settled on the streets of Seattle, but John Schneider is already back at the drawing board. After a dominant 29-13 victory over New England, the Seahawks faced a brutal reality this week: winning a championship makes your roster a primary target for poaching. While Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III headed to Kansas City and Riq Woolen signed with the Eagles, Seattle managed to lock down explosive playmaker Rashid Shaheed and veteran corner Josh Jobe to keep the repeat hopes alive.
Seattle didn’t let the league’s top-ranked special teams unit evaporate. The front office prioritized Rashid Shaheed, inkling a three-year, $51 million extension. Shaheed didn’t just provide a vertical threat for Sam Darnold; he ignited the postseason with a 95-yard kick return touchdown against the 49ers that set the tone for the entire championship run. Spending $17 million annually for a guy who stretches the field and scores on special teams is a win for new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury.
On the flip side of the ball, the Seahawks secured Josh Jobe on a bargain three-year, $24 million contract. With Woolen leaving for Philadelphia and Coby Bryant heading to the Bears, Jobe becomes the veteran anchor Mike Macdonald needs. He knows the system, hits like a linebacker, and rarely misses an assignment. Landing a starting-caliber corner for $8 million a year in a market where peers are getting $15 million is the steal of the month.
Seattle fans took a gut punch when Kenneth Walker III signed with the Chiefs. Losing the Super Bowl MVP is never easy, especially with Zach Charbonnet currently rehabbing a torn ACL suffered in January. To bridge the gap, the Seahawks brought in Emanuel Wilson on a one-year “prove-it” deal. Wilson is a 230-pound hammer who averaged 4.5 yards per carry in Green Bay. He isn’t Walker, but he fits the physical identity Schneider wants to maintain.
“Our pro staff identified Emanuel as a heavy runner with great feet. You sign a deal like that and it’s a ‘come in and compete’ situation. He gives us a different flavor in that room while Zach works his way back.”
— John Schneider, Seahawks GM/President of Football Operations
The Seahawks currently hold the final pick in the first round, and the target is clear. With the departure of Woolen and Mafe, expect Seattle to look heavily at secondary depth or a dynamic edge rusher. Reports suggest Tennessee corner Colton Hood is high on their board. If they can find another immediate contributor in April, this roster remains the favorite to represent the NFC again next February. The quest for a repeat is officially on, and while the backfield looks different, the culture remains as aggressive as ever.
