John Schneider is pretty tight-lipped about Seahawks business, so it was hard to expect much out of him Thursday on his weekly appearance on Seattle Sports 710 AM.

But he offered a few nuggets on various topics: (1) how Seattle managed to keep Rashid Shaheed, (2) expectations for new additions Emanuel Wilson and Rodney Thomas, (3) the state of the running back position, (4) the Maxx Crosby saga and (5) the impact of the new millionaire tax in Washington.

Let’s break down the takeaways.

Shaheed returns

It seemed like Shaheed was destined for another team, but the Seahawks chose to pay his market value: $17 million a year.

“Rasheed, we just hung with it,” Schneider said. “He really wanted to be here. We knew that was going to be hard. We were able to stay in range for him.”

Asked whether there had been discussions with new OC Brian Fleury about Shaheed, Schneider said, “We had some great coaching meetings. Talking about role and reliability. Smart, tough, reliable. Brian was very excited about the possibility of getting Rashid back.”

In an NFL Network interview, Ernest Jones IV agreed with general sentiment: “Now having Shaheed for a full offseason, how he can impact us on offense, I think, will be big.”

Two new guys amid flurry of moves

While most of their work the past two days has been bringing back role players, the Seahawks did add two new players Thursday: running back Emanuel Wilson from the Packers and safety Rodney Thomas II from the Colts.

Both guys are in on minor one-year deals. Wilson reportedly can earn up to $2.1 million. Neither will impact comp picks.

Schneider said Thomas is a “very rangy, intelligent, instinctive player that loves our defense. He wanted to come here and compete in our safety room.”  

The Hawks also have brought back Josh Jobe, Drake Thomas, Brady Russell, Josh Jones, Brandon Pili, Jake Bobo, Chris Stoll.

Schneider said, “These guys maybe could have done better (financially) somewhere else, but we’re happy they are back with us.”

Jones said, “Rashid, Drake, Jobe, Josh Jones – they will all be pieces to help us out this year. It’s going to be key to get those guys back.”

Running (back) commentary

Schneider said Wilson — a “heavy runner” with great feet at 5-10 and 226 pounds — will compete for snaps in a running back room that has lost Kenneth Walker III and will be without Zach Charbonnet until maybe midseason.

“Our pro staff did a great job evaluating (and) identifying Emanuel and just saying, ‘Hey, here’s this 230-pound guy with great feet,” Schneider said. “And you sign a one-year deal like that, it’s kind of like … come prove it, see what you can do and compete with the group. And he gives us a little bit of something different. He’s a heavy runner.”

Schneider made sure to point out the great play by George Holani in the postseason, backing up Walker.

“Every time he goes in the game he just performs,” Schneider said. “Pass protection stuff was elite.”

Schneider offered no recovery timeline for Charbonnet, who suffered a torn ACL in the 41-6 playoff win over San Francisco.

Charbonnet’s surgery went “very well,” Schneider said. “The outlook is good. I am sure he’s going to attack his rehab like anything else, like he always does. He’s one of the most professional players that I have been around.”

Schneider was asked about Kenny McIntosh, who missed 2025 with a torn ACL suffered in training camp.

“He had a rough injury,” the GM said. “He finished the season real strong in ’24. We’re excited about him. He’s doing great.”

When McIntosh has been out there, he has looked good. But he also has simply had some bad injury luck.

The Hawks also have some “ready squad” guys: Velus Jones Jr., Cam Akers, Jacardia Wright.

But Schneider said he and his staff will continue to look at adding running backs.

Reaction to Crosby non-trade

The Seahawks are known to have been interested in Crosby, the Raiders’ star pass rusher. Asked what he thought of the busted trade between Baltimore and Las Vegas, Schneider said he was shocked.

“It was fascinating to see,” he said.

He then demurred speaking about a player under contract with another team. But he related a story that seemed to tell you what he would have done if he were the Ravens.

In 1992, the Packers sent a first-round pick to Atlanta for Brett Favre. The Packers’ doctors had a concern about a degenerative hip issue, but GM Ron Wolf told them they were not failing Favre on his physical.

That one turned out pretty well for Green Bay.

If you read between the lines, Schneider seemed to be saying he has no problem with Crosby, who is coming off knee surgery. So, if the Raiders are still listening to offers, it would not be a surprise if Schneider and the Hawks are still interested.

Effect of the Millionaires Tax

The Washington legislature has passed a bill taxing millionaires to Gov. Bob Ferguson, who has said he plans to sign it. It would tax any income over $1 million at 9.9%.

This effectively would end the advantage the Seahawks have had of being one of eight teams in states with no income tax.

“I think it is (a problem) for all the pro teams here in town,” Schneider said. “It has always been a huge attraction, especially competing with the California teams. It’s been a big deal for us. It’s going to sting from a recruiting standpoint. … There’s no question about it.”

He said agents already were texting him to razz him: “You can’t use that one anymore, buddy.”

Barring overturn by courts or a statewide initiative, the law would take effect in January 2028 (i.e., taxes paid in 2029).

As an example of how it would affect a player, Shaheed is due $15.5 million in 2028 and thus would have to pay $1.44 million of that in taxes. That is less than he would pay if he played for one of the three California teams or the Washington Commanders. It is about the same as he would pay if he played for Minnesota, New England or the three New York teams. But most of the rest of the NFL cities would be much cheaper.

So yeah, a longtime advantage might turn into a disadvantage.