Seattle Seahawks Shake Up Front Office: Matt Berry and Willie Schneider Promoted to Assistant General Managers

The Seattle Seahawks are making major moves in their front office, promoting Matt Berry and Willie Schneider to assistant general manager roles. This shake-up comes after the departure of Nolan Teasley and Trent Kirchner to the Minnesota Vikings earlier this offseason. The moves, detailed in Screenshot (550).png, signal a deliberate effort to maintain the franchise's winning culture from within.

A New Era in Seattle's Front Office

The Seahawks announced a total of six promotions, reshaping the executive landscape. Berry, a 17-year veteran of the organization, steps up from his role as vice president of player acquisition. Schneider, the nephew of Seahawks general manager John Schneider, has been with the team for 13 seasons, starting as an intern and most recently serving as director of pro personnel.

“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,” John Schneider said, via the Seahawks. “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.”

The Departed: Minnesota Bound

Teasley was named general manager of the Vikings in late May, a massive leap for the former Seahawks exec. Kirchner, who served as Seattle's vice president of player personnel for seven seasons, joined Teasley along with pro scout Azzaam Kapadia. Their exits could have been a blow to Seattle’s front office stability, but the organization responded by leaning on homegrown talent.

Meet the New Guard

Matt Berry: The Super Bowl Stalwart

Berry has been with the Seahawks since 2008, witnessing both Super Bowl victories. His rise from the scouting ranks to vice president of player acquisition in 2023 prepared him for this next challenge. Berry’s deep understanding of Seattle’s talent evaluation system makes him a critical piece of the team’s future.

Willie Schneider: Family Ties and Hard Work

Schneider’s journey is a testament to perseverance. Starting as an intern, he climbed the ladder through sheer grit. His family connection to John Schneider adds a layer of intrigue, but his promotion is based on merit—he spent the last three years as director of pro personnel, shaping the roster through free agency and trades.

Full List of Promotions

The Seahawks didn't stop at the top. The front office reshuffle includes four additional promotions:

• Aaron Hineline promoted to director of player personnel. A Central Washington University graduate, Hineline has been with Seattle since 2006 and served as director of college scouting for three seasons. He also shares the Super Bowl legacy.
• Armani Perez promoted to director of player personnel. Perez started as a scouting intern in 2019 and became assistant director of pro personnel in 2023. His rapid ascent underscores Seattle’s investment in young talent.
• Jason Barnes promoted to director of college scouting. With 20 years in the organization, mostly on the college side, Barnes was assistant director under Hineline. He, too, has been part of both Super Bowl wins.
• Patrick Ward promoted to vice president of research and analytics. Ward retains his role as head of analytics while gaining the VP title, reflecting the growing importance of data in modern NFL decisions.

The Super Bowl Connection

Berry, Hineline, and Barnes have all been part of the Seahawks’ front office during both Super Bowl victories (XLVIII and XLIX). This continuity is a point of pride for the organization, as John Schneider emphasized the importance of maintaining culture. The Seahawks have long been known for their player development and scouting acumen, and these promotions reinforce that philosophy.

The team’s Super Bowl rings, unveiled recently during minicamp, serve as a reminder of the franchise’s championship pedigree. These promotions aim to keep that championship culture alive as the team looks toward the future.

Why This Matters

The NFL is a league of constant turnover, but the Seahawks are betting on internal promotions to avoid disruption. By elevating Berry and Schneider, Seattle ensures that the institutional knowledge of their scouting systems remains intact. The departures to Minnesota could have created a vacuum, but instead, the Seahawks have recharged their front office with proven leaders.

For Berry, the promotion is a career milestone after nearly two decades of service. For Schneider, it’s the culmination of a 13-year journey that started at the bottom. Together, they will support John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald as the team aims to return to playoff contention.

The Seahawks' willingness to promote from within sends a strong message to the rest of the league: Seattle rewards loyalty and hard work. As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on how this reshuffled front office shapes the roster.

Stay tuned as the Seahawks continue their offseason moves, and don't forget to check the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter for the latest local news, weather, and sports updates.

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