John Schneider has never been shy about shaking up the roster, and the Seahawks’ trade deadline could come down to whether he makes one bold swing or a couple of smaller ones that actually move the needle. With 8-9 games left, Seattle has a few obvious pressure points, and the edge-rusher room and receiver group sit near the top of the list.
The pass rush has been hit by injuries and by a lack of consistent production, and that showed even more clearly when Uchenna Nwosu was out in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears. DeMarcus Lawrence and Derick Hall have not been able to carry the load by themselves, which is why adding help there makes so much sense.
The same goes for wide receiver, where Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been the only real spark. If anything happens to JSN, the offense is in trouble.
One name that fits the receiver need is Josh Downs of the Colts. He is not an outside threat, and that is not really his game.
Downs is more of a slot receiver who wins with quickness and an ability to find space in coverage, which is exactly the kind of complement Seattle could use. He has also requested a trade and will be a free agent next year, so there is incentive on his side to make an immediate impact.
For an early Day 3 pick, he could be a natural fit next to Smith-Njigba.
If Seattle wants to go bigger, Khalil Mack is the kind of edge rusher who could change the conversation. He is older, sure, but he is still strong against both the run and the pass.
With the Chargers veteran in the later stages of his career, a playoff push could be enough motivation to keep him locked in. Seattle needs that kind of presence badly.
Another possible target is Riq Woolen of the Eagles. It would be a little unusual to bring back a player the Seahawks let leave in free agency the offseason before, but the logic is easy to see.
Woolen already knows the defensive scheme, and that matters. He has his flaws, but he can still flash real coverage ability, and Seattle’s cornerback play in 2026 has not been clean enough.
He would help most against the pass.
Dallas Goedert is the final trade target on the list, and he may be the best fit of the bunch for what Seattle thought this offense would become. When Brian Fleury was hired as offensive coordinator, the expectation was that the tight ends would be a featured part of the attack.
That has not happened, and Elijah Arroyo’s injury has only made things worse. Goedert brings blocking, dependable hands, and experience, and while he is not on the books for 2027, he could give a struggling offense a real boost right now.
As for who Seattle should be willing to move, Tyrice Knight stands out. He has value on special teams and is not a bad player, but the Seahawks do not appear to have a long-term defensive role for him with Ernest Jones IV and Drake Thomas lined up as the future starters if they stay healthy.
Knight could still help Seattle in trade talks, especially if the team wants to keep the draft-pick cost down. A package like Knight and a fourth-round pick might be enough in a deal for someone like Khalil Mack.
Dante Fowler Jr. is another name Seattle could move on from. He may not bring much trade value on his own, but if he can be included in a deal that upgrades the roster, that would be fine.
At the very least, moving him would clear a roster spot for someone who can offer more. Fowler has barely seen the field, which says plenty about how Mike Macdonald views his role, and when he has played, he has not been productive.
The hope that he would help make up for the loss of Boye Mafe has not worked out.
In Other News...
Seahawks Suddenly Face Another O-Line Problem Before Cardinals Showdown
The Seahawks offensive line got a little more complicated Thursday, when Quenton Nelson showed up on the injury report with a knee issue and did not practice ahead of Sundays Week 9 meeting with the Cardinals. Seattle was already juggling a long list of absences, with nine players sitting out, including six starters such as quarterback Sam Darnold and left tackle Charles Cross, leaving the front line with more uncertainty than it wanted heading into a division game.
If Nelson cant go, the ripple effect could be significant for Seattles interior alignment. Anthony Bradford could slide back into his usual spot at right guard, which would open the door for rookie Grey Zabel to move back to left guard and restore a setup the Seahawks may prefer if the lineup cooperates. For a team already dealing with enough moving parts, the next practice report will matter a lot. [Read more 🡒]
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Even if Lock gives Seattle a lift in the short term, the bigger picture around the quarterback room is not suddenly changing. Darnold is under contract through 2027, while Lock is heading toward free agency next season and could be looking for a fresh opportunity elsewhere, which leaves the Seahawks with a familiar kind of uncertainty even as they navigate the immediate one. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Could Be Headed For Another Deadline Move After Offensive Issues
The Seahawks already made one notable swing before the NFL trade deadline, landing guard Quenton Nelson from the Colts, but the move may not be the last one they make to try to steady an offense that has shown some cracks. After a recent loss, Seattle is looking at other ways to add help, and the tight end spot has emerged as a possible area to address if the front office decides the group needs another boost.
Among the names being discussed are Detroits Sam LaPorta, Philadelphias Dallas Goedert, and tight ends from the Colts and Chargers, giving Seattle a range of options if it chooses to keep shopping. The question now is whether the Seahawks are content with one major addition or whether the deadline still has another move in store as they try to sharpen the offense for the stretch run. [Read more 🡒]