John Schneider’s Busy Week: Seattle Seahawks Make Strategic Moves Ahead of Cut Day
John Schneider, the general manager of the Seattle Seahawks, has been exceptionally active in the trade market as Cut Day approaches, a period when NFL teams finalize their rosters. Over the past 96 hours, Schneider has executed three significant trades in an effort to bolster the Seahawks' lineup and address key positional needs.
On Monday, the Seahawks finalized a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars to acquire linebacker Trevis Gipson. In return for Gipson, Seattle will send a "late-round" pick to Jacksonville. This trade comes as a bit of a surprise, as Gipson was just signed by the Jaguars in March and leaves the team without having played a single down. Previously, Gipson spent the 2023 season with the Tennessee Titans, where he appeared in eight games. His most notable NFL stint was with the Chicago Bears, where he started 19 games over three seasons, including a standout 2021 season in which he recorded seven sacks.
This trade seems timely, especially considering that Uchenna Nwosu strained his MCL during Seattle’s preseason win over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday. Nwosu's injury is expected to sideline him for anywhere from two to six weeks, making the addition of Gipson even more critical for the Seahawks' depth at linebacker.
The trade for Gipson was not Seattle's only move in recent days. On August 22, Schneider orchestrated a player-for-player exchange with the Carolina Panthers, sending cornerback Michael Jackson to Carolina in return for linebacker Michael Barrett. The following day, August 23, Seattle continued to maneuver, trading linebacker Darrell Taylor to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick. These calculated moves illustrate Schneider's intent to refine the roster and fill gaps ahead of the NFL's roster cut-down deadline.
Before these more recent trades, the Seahawks had already been active in the market. On August 11, they made a trade with the Cleveland Browns, further emphasizing their strategy of refining the team’s lineup well in advance of the upcoming season.
With Cut Day looming on Tuesday, NFL teams across the league typically ramp up trades, as they aim to secure value from players who might otherwise face release. These trades allow teams like the Seahawks to address immediate needs while offloading players who may not fit into their future plans.
Schneider’s proactive approach is a clear indication of the importance he places on roster flexibility and depth. As the Seahawks gear up for the regular season, these trades could prove pivotal. Acquiring Gipson, especially, could be a game-changer for Seattle’s defensive unit, offering both experience and a proven track record of performance.
The coming days will reveal more about how these moves shape the Seahawks' roster and their prospects for the upcoming season. With Schneider at the helm, Seahawks fans can expect a dynamic and strategically sound lineup, ready to compete from the get-go.