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As the NFL trade deadline looms on November 4, the Seattle Seahawks are reportedly in an active mode, with general manager John Schneider and his staff constantly monitoring league developments. Head coach Mike Macdonald emphasized the team's ongoing activity, stating that Seattle is "always in everything" and continuously looking for ways to improve the roster. Sitting at 5-2 and leading the NFC West, the Seahawks are in a strong position to be buyers rather than sellers, though the urgency to fill a glaring need isn’t pressing. Instead, a strategic, smaller move—especially along the offensive line—could have a meaningful impact.
Seattle currently boasts $21.5 million in salary-cap space and holds one pick in each of the first six rounds of the 2026 draft. The team has been active in trading future picks recently, including deals that brought in players like defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris. Potential trade partners generally fall into three categories: rebuilding teams seeking draft picks, teams looking to move players with strained relationships, and teams with surplus talent at certain positions. Among these, franchises such as the Jets, Saints, Browns, Raiders, and Titans fit the rebuilding profile, making them logical targets for acquiring assets.
On defense, the Seahawks are dealing with injuries but expect key players like cornerback Devon Witherspoon, safety Julian Love, and linebacker Derick Hall back soon. Weakside linebacker remains the only somewhat vulnerable spot, but rookie Drake Thomas has shown promising signs in his starting role. This progress reduces the urgency to trade for a replacement linebacker. Offensively, struggles persist with the running game and third-down conversions, and no obvious quick fix appears forthcoming. However, the right guard position stands out as a possible area for upgrade, given issues with pressure allowed by Anthony Bradford and right tackle Abe Lucas.
Veteran guards on expiring contracts from teams like the Browns (Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller), Titans (Kevin Zeitler), and Jets (John Simpson) could be targets, although some teams might hesitate to weaken their offensive lines in front of young quarterbacks. The Giants’ Evan Neal, a highly drafted player, might not be a clear upgrade but could be available at a reasonable cost. Schneider’s history suggests he’s willing to take calculated risks on players with high potential, even if the fit isn’t perfect.
Wide receiver options seem limited, with top pass rushers Trey Hendrickson and Maxx Crosby reportedly unavailable, and New Orleans unlikely to trade Chris Olave. While the Seahawks’ receiving corps outside Jaxon Smith-Njigba hasn’t produced much, this appears more due to limited opportunities rather than talent. Notably, Cooper Kupp, despite modest numbers, performs efficiently when targeted. The team might consider smaller deals involving Day 3 draft picks rather than major trades, reflecting Schneider’s pattern in recent years when the team had no desperate positional needs.
Historically, Seattle’s midseason trades have been driven by urgent needs, such as acquiring Duane Brown in 2017 after an injury crisis and Leonard Williams in 2023 following a season-ending injury. Without a similar urgent need this year, any moves are likely to be less aggressive and focused on incremental improvements. Potential sellers to watch include Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan, Browns defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Jets linebacker Quincy Williams, and Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who has ties to Seattle. The Seahawks may pursue a deal resembling previous modest trades, exchanging later-round picks or current players to bolster depth without sacrificing future assets.
