John Schneider's Busy Week of Trades Shakes Up the Seahawks
John Schneider, the general manager of the Seattle Seahawks, has been extraordinarily active in the trade market over the past several days. In just 96 hours, Schneider has coordinated three trades that could significantly impact the team’s defensive lineup as the NFL approaches its Cut Day deadline.
Trevis Gipson Joins the Seahawks
The Seahawks began their trade spree by sealing a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday to acquire linebacker Trevis Gipson. Seattle will send a late-round draft pick to Jacksonville in exchange for Gipson, who was signed by the Jaguars in March but is leaving the team without having played a single down.
Gipson brings a varied experience to Seattle’s defense. Last season, he played with the Tennessee Titans, appearing in eight games. Before his brief stint with Tennessee, Gipson spent three seasons with the Chicago Bears, where he showed promise by starting in 19 games and making seven sacks during the 2021 season. His arrival comes at a crucial time, especially with linebacker Uchenna Nwosu straining his MCL during the preseason win over the Cleveland Browns last Saturday. Nwosu is expected to miss anywhere from two to six weeks, making Gipson's presence all the more valuable.
Michael Jackson for Michael Barrett
On August 22, the second trade in Schneider's series of moves saw the Seahawks and Carolina Panthers come to a player-for-player agreement. Seattle sent cornerback Michael Jackson to Carolina in exchange for linebacker Michael Barrett. This trade aims to bolster the Seahawks’ linebacker depth, an area needing reinforcement due to the recent injury woes.
Darrell Taylor Heads to Chicago
Just a day after acquiring Barrett, the Seahawks executed another trade, this time sending linebacker Darrell Taylor to the Chicago Bears in return for a 2025 sixth-round pick. Taylor's departure may come as a surprise to some, but it reflects Schneider's strategy to reconfigure the team’s roster in preparation for the upcoming season.
A Strategic Ramp-Up to Cut Day
The aggressive maneuvers Schneider is making are not without precedent. As Cut Day looms on Tuesday, NFL teams are rushing to finalize their rosters, often opting to trade players who might otherwise be released. This not only helps teams like the Seahawks roster more efficiently but also can provide additional draft capital or depth in weaker positions. Seattle's recent trades are all part of the larger chess game that NFL general managers must navigate this time of year.
Seattle's final trade during this period was executed earlier this month on August 11 with the Cleveland Browns, although the terms of that trade were not specified in the available details.
As the Seahawks move forward, Schneider’s trades are set to play a crucial role in determining the team's prospects this season. While the immediate impacts of these trades will become apparent soon, the longer-term benefits might take a while to manifest.