In a whirlwind of activity, Seattle Seahawks General Manager John Schneider has made significant waves in the trade market, completing three transactions in the past 96 hours as teams across the NFL scramble to finalize their rosters ahead of Cut Day on Tuesday.
Acquiring Trevis Gipson
The most recent of Schneider's moves involved acquiring linebacker Trevis Gipson from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Seahawks will send a "late-round" pick to Jacksonville in exchange for the athletic linebacker. Gipson, who was signed by Jacksonville in March, leaves the Jaguars without having played a single down for the team.
Gipson's last on-field action came during the 2023 season with the Tennessee Titans, where he appeared in eight games. Prior to his stint with the Titans, Gipson played three seasons with the Chicago Bears, starting 19 games. His most notable season came in 2021, during which he recorded an impressive seven sacks.
Addressing Injury Concerns
The addition of Gipson comes at a crucial time for the Seahawks as they grapple with an injury to their key linebacker, Uchenna Nwosu. Nwosu strained his MCL during the preseason win over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, and he is expected to miss anywhere from two to six weeks. Gipson's arrival will provide much-needed depth to the Seahawks' linebacker corps in Nwosu's absence.
A Flurry of Trades
Schneider's recent activity began on August 22, when the Seahawks made a player-for-player trade with the Carolina Panthers. In this transaction, Seattle sent cornerback Michael Jackson to Carolina in exchange for linebacker Michael Barrett. The move was seen as strategic, bolstering the Seahawks' linebacker depth while adjusting their secondary lineup.
The very next day, on August 23, Schneider struck another deal, this time sending linebacker Darrell Taylor to the Chicago Bears in return for a 2025 sixth-round pick. Taylor, who had been with Seattle since being drafted in 2020, will now continue his career in Chicago.
These trades come as teams across the league are making critical decisions to finalize their rosters for the upcoming season. With Cut Day approaching, many teams are looking to make trades to acquire value for players who might otherwise be released. For the Seahawks, Schneider's ability to maneuver in the trade market demonstrates his commitment to strengthening the team's roster.
Seattle's frenetic activity also included a trade earlier in August with the Cleveland Browns, although details of this trade were not specified. Each of these moves reflects Schneider's proactive approach in ensuring the Seahawks have the competitive edge needed for a strong season.
Looking Forward
As the Seahawks prepare for the final roster cuts, the integration of new players like Trevis Gipson will be critical. The team's defensive strategy will be closely watched, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Nwosu's return. While it remains to be seen how Gipson and the other new acquisitions will fit into Seattle's system, Schneider's aggressive trading certainly underscores a clear intent to build a resilient and dynamic team.
The coming days will provide further clarity as the team finalizes its roster and sets its sights on the regular season. With Cut Day imminent, Seahawks' fans will be eager to see how these latest additions might shape the future of their beloved team.