Seattle Seahawks Engage in Flurry of Trades Ahead of Cut Day
In the past few days, the Seattle Seahawks, led by General Manager John Schneider, have been very active on the trade market, solidifying their roster with a series of strategic moves. Over the last 96 hours, Schneider orchestrated three trades, reshaping the team with an eye towards both the immediate season and the future.
Gipson on Board
On Monday, the Seahawks finalized a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars to acquire linebacker Trevis Gipson. Seattle is sending a late-round draft pick to Jacksonville in exchange for Gipson, who had joined the Jaguars back in March. Interestingly, Gipson will depart Jacksonville without having played a single down for the team.
Gipson brings valuable experience to the Seahawks’ defense. He spent the 2023 season with the Tennessee Titans, making appearances in eight games. Prior to his short stint with Tennessee, Gipson had a notable run with the Chicago Bears, starting 19 games over three seasons. During his time with the Bears, Gipson achieved a career highlight by recording seven sacks in the 2021 season.
Injuries and Adjustments
The Seahawks’ flurry of trades is also a response to the recent injury of linebacker Uchenna Nwosu. Nwosu strained his MCL during the preseason win over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday and is expected to miss anywhere from two to six weeks. This unfortunate injury expedited Seattle's need to reinforce their linebacker corps, leading to the acquisition of Gipson.
Earlier Transactions
Prior to the Gipson trade, the Seahawks struck a player-for-player deal with the Carolina Panthers on August 22. Seattle traded cornerback Michael Jackson for linebacker Michael Barrett, adding more depth to their defensive lineup. Then, on the following day, August 23, the Seahawks traded linebacker Darrell Taylor to the Chicago Bears, receiving a 2025 sixth-round pick in return.
This series of trades highlights Seattle's proactive approach as they prepare for the upcoming Cut Day, which is fast approaching on Tuesday. NFL teams are making final adjustments to their rosters, often trading players who might be on the brink of being released. For the Seahawks, these trades are part of a larger strategy to ensure the team is balanced and competitive leading into the season.
A Busy Offseason
The Seahawks' trading activity kicked off earlier in August, with a trade involving the Cleveland Browns. While specifics of that trade were not detailed, this move set the tone for an offseason characterized by significant roster adjustments.
NFL teams frequently use the days leading up to Cut Day to finalize their rosters, making key trades to offload players and acquire new talent. For the Seahawks, John Schneider's adept handling of these transactions underscores his commitment to fielding a robust and competitive team this season.
As the dust settles from this whirlwind of trades, the Seattle Seahawks look poised to enter the new NFL season with a recalibrated and strengthened roster, ready to face the challenges ahead.