John Schneider's Trade Frenzy: Seattle Seahawks' Busy Week
The Seattle Seahawks' front office has been bustling under the leadership of General Manager John Schneider, who has orchestrated a flurry of trades over the past few days. In a span of just 96 hours, Schneider has pulled the trigger on three significant deals, reshaping the team's roster as the NFL's Cut Day approaches.
Latest Acquisition: Trevis Gipson
One of the most notable moves came on Monday when the Seahawks completed a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars to acquire linebacker Trevis Gipson. The cost for bringing Gipson to Seattle was a "late-round" pick, signaling Schneider's willingness to gamble on a player who recently joined Jacksonville in March but never saw game action with the team.
Gipson's journey to Seattle has been a winding one. Before his short stint with the Jaguars, he played the 2023 season with the Tennessee Titans, appearing in eight games. Gipson's most substantial professional experience came during his three seasons with the Chicago Bears, where he started 19 games and recorded seven sacks in the 2021 season. This trade signifies a fresh start for Gipson, who now looks to make an impact in Seattle.
Injury Concerns and Roster Shifts
Achieving depth at linebacker has been a priority for the Seahawks, particularly in light of recent injuries. Uchenna Nwosu strained his MCL during the preseason win against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, causing him to be side-lined for an estimated two to six weeks. This injury undoubtedly factored into Schneider's decision to expedite the acquisition of Gipson.
Player-for-Player Trade with Carolina
On August 22, the Seahawks engaged in a player-for-player trade with the Carolina Panthers, trading cornerback Michael Jackson for linebacker Michael Barrett. This kind of exchange is typical as teams seek to balance their rosters, adding depth where needed while offloading surplus talent.
Darrell Taylor Heads to Chicago
The following day, Seattle struck another deal, sending linebacker Darrell Taylor to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick. Taylor, who had shown promise during his tenure with the Seahawks, will now look to carve out a role in Chicago. In return, Seattle accumulates draft capital, a valuable asset for future roster building.
The acceleration of these trades may be indicative of Schneider’s strategy to build a robust roster ahead of Cut Day, set for Tuesday. As teams across the NFL finalize their lineups, last-minute trades are commonplace, offering teams a chance to gain value from players who might otherwise be released.