Seahawks' John Schneider Busy with Trades Ahead of Cut Day
The Seattle Seahawks have been a hive of activity recently, and the man orchestrating the moves is none other than General Manager John Schneider. In a span of just 96 hours, Schneider has engineered three trades as the team finalizes their roster ahead of Cut Day.
On Monday, the Seahawks completed a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars to acquire linebacker Trevis Gipson. Seattle will send a "late-round" pick to Jacksonville in exchange for Gipson, who was signed by the Jaguars in March. Interestingly, Gipson leaves the Jaguars without ever playing a down for the team. His tenure in Jacksonville was brief, to say the least.
The 2023 season saw Gipson in action with the Tennessee Titans, where he appeared in eight games. Prior to his stint with the Titans, Gipson had a more stable presence with the Chicago Bears, starting 19 games over three seasons. His standout performance came in 2021 when he recorded seven sacks, showcasing his potential as a valuable asset on the defensive front.
This acquisition comes at a crucial time for the Seahawks, especially with the recent injury to Uchenna Nwosu. Nwosu strained his MCL during the preseason win over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday and is expected to be sidelined for two to six weeks. The addition of Gipson aims to bolster the Seahawks' linebacker unit in Nwosu's absence.
But the trade for Gipson wasn’t the only move that Schneider executed recently. On August 22, Seattle completed a player-for-player trade with the Carolina Panthers, swapping cornerback Michael Jackson for linebacker Michael Barrett. The very next day, the Seahawks sent linebacker Darrell Taylor to the Chicago Bears for a 2025 sixth-round pick. These moves underscore Schneider’s strategy to tweak and refine his defensive roster with strategic trades.
The trade frenzy also included a deal with the Cleveland Browns on August 11, adding another layer of complexity to the team's offseason planning. As Cut Day approaches this coming Tuesday, teams across the NFL are under pressure to finalize their rosters. It’s a period marked by last-minute trades and decisions aimed at shaping the best possible lineup for the season ahead. Often, these trades involve players who might otherwise be released, giving teams an opportunity to get some value in exchange.
For the Seahawks, these maneuvers reflect a proactive approach by Schneider, seeking to ensure the team has the depth and versatility needed to navigate the rigors of an NFL season. Each trade reflects a calculated effort to address specific needs and build a robust roster capable of competing at the highest level.
As the dust settles from these trades, the focus will now shift to how quickly the new additions can integrate into the team’s system. Gipson, in particular, will be under the spotlight, given his recent movements and the expectations that come with filling in during Nwosu’s absence. Likewise, Barrett will have the opportunity to showcase his skills and prove his worth as a valuable trade acquisition.
While Cut Day often brings an air of uncertainty and tension, Schneider's recent trades indicate a clear strategy and direction for the Seahawks. The challenges of building a competitive roster are manifold, but with a general manager like Schneider at the helm, Seahawks fans can remain optimistic about the team’s prospects for the upcoming season.