Eight things we learned from Seahawks Executive VP/GM John Schneider at the 2015 NFL Combine
Key takeaways on the state of the franchise from Seattle Executive VP/General Manager John Schneider.
Tony Drovetto
Seahawks.com Content Manager
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Seahawks Executive VP/General Manager John Schneider met with the media on Thursday morning from NFL Combine headquarters at Lucas Oil Stadium.
In a series of interviews - one on camera and two off - Schneider shared plenty of offseason nuggets on the state of the franchise.
Here's eight things we learned from Schneider at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine:
1. He's Not Over The Super Bowl Loss
Unsurprisingly, the team's ill-fated finish to Super Bowl XLIX against the New England Patriots was one of the first topics of conversations as Schneider approached his podium.
The Seattle GM was asked if he's moved on from the game's 28-24 result.
"No, I'm not over it," said Schneider. "I think it's always going to stay with you. It's just part of life."
Instead of lamenting in the loss, Schneider said he and the Seahawks have found ways to use the game as motivation heading into next season.
"We always talk about there's no finish line," said Schneider. "We're just moving forward. We had started our process for the offseason down in Arizona, so we were moving toward next year already, about a month before that game ended."
2. Marshawn Lynch's Future Remains A Question Mark
Schneider said the Seahawks have yet to receive word on whether or not running back Marshawn Lynch will retire or continue his career in Seattle next season.
"I think everybody needs some time away, especially at that position and the way he runs the ball," Schneider said of the situation surrounding the team's leading rusher the past five seasons. "A little time to hit the reset button. I talk to his people a bunch, his representatives. He knows we want him to play."
At this stage, Schneider said Lynch hasn't done anything specific to indicate he won't be back next season.
"He's the ultimate teammate," said Schneider. "The players love him. He's awesome with everybody in the building."
3. Jeremy Lane Needs Knee Surgery
We already knew that cornerback Jeremy Lane broke his wrist during his return of a Tom Brady interception in Super Bowl XLIX. But on Thursday, Schneider revealed Lane injured his knee on the same play and will need surgery this offseason.
"He hurt his knee and shattered his wrist on the same play," said Schneider.
With the knee injury, Schneider said Lane's health is up in the air to open next season.
4. He's Open To Trading The Team's First-Round Pick
Coming off their 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII, the Seahawks held the final pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. As Schneider and his staff have shown a savvy for, the team proceeded to trade that pick - No. 32 overall - to move down in the draft, acquiring more later-round picks Seattle's personnel group covets.
"We were hoping that somebody wanted to move back up to grab one of the quarterbacks," Schneider said of last year's draft. "We were just concerned that it was going to happen in front of us. We were blessed that Minnesota still had that strong feeling for Teddy [Bridgewater], so we were able to work with them."
This year, coming off their loss in Super Bowl XLIX, the Seahawks own the No. 31 overall pick. It shouldn't come as a shock to learn that Schneider is again shopping the Seahawks' selection.
"It's worth a lot, if anybody's listening," he said with a smile. "You can come get it."
5. Earl Thomas' Shoulder Surgery Is Coming Up
Seattle free safety Earl Thomas, who dislocated his shoulder in the second quarter of January's NFC Championship win over the Green Bay Packers, will have surgery soon to repair the damage.
"Earl's going to have his surgery coming up," Schneider said. "So that's probably our biggest issue right now. But it's a normal procedure, so he should do OK."
Thomas was forced to the locker room shortly after the setback, but went on to finish the game against Green Bay and play in the Super Bowl against the Patriots two weeks later. Schneider said Thomas should be ready to go by the start of the 2015 season, but his work may be limited this spring and summer.
"We're just going to monitor him and do what's best for the long term," said Schneider. "He's going to be fighting and scratching to get out there as soon as he can, but we just don't know where he'll be. Between our performance staff and our trainers those guys will have a great idea of where he is and we'll just make sure he's taking care of himself."
6. Seattle Won't Use The Franchise Tag
The two-week window to use the franchise tag opened earlier this week, but Schneider gave a flat "No" when asked if he anticipates the Seahawks using the designation on one of their unrestricted free agents.
The Seahawks last used the franchise tag on kicker Olindo Mare in 2010 - Schneider's first season at the helm with head coach Pete Carroll.
7. Paul Richardson Questionable For Start Of 2015
In a recent radio interview with Sports Radio 950 KJR AM, Schneider said wide receiver Paul Richardson has a "50/50 chance" to be ready by the start of the 2015 season.
Richardson injured his ACL in this past January's divisional-round win over the Carolina Panthers and underwent successful surgery shortly thereafter. Schneider tempered his initial expectations at the combine on Thursday.
"Yeah, that's going to be a tough one," he said of Richardson's readiness for the start of the new year.
8. Byron Maxwell A Big Name In Free Agency
Cornerback Byron Maxwell is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this March, leaving him open to negotiate a contract with other teams. He's expected to command some of the most free-agent interest at his position.
"Byron is one of ours," Schneider said of the team's 2011 sixth-round pick. "It would be hard to see him leave, but I would think his market would be pretty strong. He's a heck of a kid and a heck of a player."
Schneider said the Seahawks aren't going to change the way they've operated over the past five years when it comes to how they handle free agency. He's called maintaining Maxwell a priority, but said Seattle would continue to find ways to build through the draft if Maxwell chooses to go another direction.
"Those are tough decisions," he said. "We're not changing anything we do. So if Byron does move on, we'll be hopefully having another young Byron Maxwell out there. He's a great guy."
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