Seattle Seahawks' Flurry of Trades Ahead of Cut Day
In the ever-evolving landscape of the NFL, the Seattle Seahawks have made significant roster changes in the past few days. General Manager John Schneider has executed three trades in the past 96 hours as the team gears up for Cut Day, when NFL teams finalize their rosters.
Trevis Gipson Joins the Seahawks
One of the most notable moves came on Monday when Seattle sealed a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars to acquire linebacker Trevis Gipson. Seattle is set to send a "late-round" pick to the Jaguars in exchange for the linebacker, who had only joined Jacksonville in March. In a turn of events, Gipson did not get a chance to play a down for the Jaguars before being dealt to the Seahawks.
Gipson's brief stint in Jacksonville underscores a tumultuous few years in the NFL for the linebacker. He played the 2023 season with the Tennessee Titans, appearing in eight games. Before his time in Tennessee, Gipson had a more stable tenure with the Chicago Bears, where he started 19 games over three seasons and notably made seven sacks during the 2021 season.
Injuries and Their Impact
The acquisition of Gipson comes at a crucial time for the Seahawks, as linebacker Uchenna Nwosu recently strained his MCL during a preseason win over the Cleveland Browns. Nwosu is expected to miss anywhere from two to six weeks, making depth at the linebacker position ever more critical for Seattle.
More Trades and Transactions
This trade is not the only move the Seahawks have made in recent days. On August 22, the team conducted a player-for-player trade with the Carolina Panthers, exchanging cornerback Michael Jackson for linebacker Michael Barrett. The following day saw the Seahawks sending linebacker Darrell Taylor to the Bears in return for a 2025 sixth-round pick.
Such trades are common as teams approach Cut Day; NFL franchises often make last-minute deals to swap players who might otherwise be released, thereby getting some value in return.
Looking Ahead to Cut Day
With Cut Day looming on Tuesday, teams across the NFL, including the Seahawks, are in the final stages of solidifying their rosters. The frenzy of trades conducted by Schneider suggests a strategically calculated approach to ensuring the Seahawks enter the regular season with a well-rounded team, ready to face any challenges that come their way.
As the clock ticks down, these recent moves highlight the dynamic and sometimes unpredictable nature of professional football, where the quest for balance and depth on the roster never truly ends.