Seahawks Want Donahoe Seattle Reportedly Hopes To Land Steelers’ Talent Whiz For Gm Position

The Pittsburgh Steelers could win the Super Bowl yet still sustain a damaging loss - the departure of Tom Donahoe, the talent whiz largely responsible for their six consecutive playoff appearances.

Donahoe, who has kept the Steelers competitive despite an almost yearly migration of free agents, is the top candidate to become the new Seattle Seahawks general manager, according to NFL sources.

Because of NFL tampering rules, the two sides cannot speak until the Steelers’ season ends. But Seattle appears willing to pay at least $1 million annually, about five times Donahoe’s salary as the Steelers’ director of football operations.

Donahoe, a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh whose grandfather once was the city’s mayor, probably would not leave for money, but rather the autonomy to oversee an entire organization.

Paul Allen, the new Seahawks owner, wants to hire a general manager to oversee all football operations. Donahoe lacks the general manager’s title in Pittsburgh - owner Dan Rooney dislikes it - and he consults with coach Bill Cowher before making key talent decisions.

“If we hire a general manager, everything under that football umbrella will be under that general manager,” Seahawks president Bob Whitsitt said.

The Seahawks have not identified any candidates, but Donahoe apparently tops the list.

Donahoe said Wednesday he will not discuss his future until the Steelers’ season is over. Pittsburgh plays New England in an AFC divisional playoff game Saturday.

“The focus of everybody here is on the playoffs and trying to go as far as we can go,” he said. “That’s the most important thing right now, and whatever happens to any of us at the end of the season, that’s the right time to deal with it.”

Donahoe isn’t concerned that questions about his future might prove disruptive should the Steelers again reach the Super Bowl.

“They (the media) may try to talk to me about it, but I’m going to do everything I can not to talk about it,” Donahoe said.

There’s another reason for his silence - three years ago, the Steelers drew a big fine after allowing defensive coordinator Dom Capers to talk to the Carolina Panthers before the season ended.

Asked if he might have a difficult decision to make soon, Donahoe said, “I don’t know, it’s speculative at this point and I really haven’t given it any thought at all.”

Losing Donahoe, who first joined the Steelers as a part-time scout 12 years ago, would be a devastating setback to the only AFC team to reach the playoffs the last six seasons in a row.

Donahoe’s never-panic style contrasts perfectly to Cowher’s impassioned approach, and his lack of ego prevents conflicts when Cowher draws most of the praise for the Steelers’ success.

There was friction between Donahoe and Cowher last January after Donahoe suggested the Steelers were flat for their 28-3 playoff loss to New England. Cowher interpreted the comment as a criticism and responded angrily to it at his postseason news conference.

But the rift did not widen, and Donahoe’s ability to replace departing free agents such as Rod Woodson, Kevin Greene, Neil O’Donnell, Chad Brown and Leon Searcy with reasonably priced replacements has been greatly responsible for the Steelers winning five AFC Central titles in six seasons.