As the Seahawks set their initial 53-man roster, Seahawks general manager/president of football operations John Schneider met with the media to talk trades, free agent signings and how the initial roster has shaped up.
"Just shout out to the staff upstairs, all the personnel people, all the coaches, everybody working through everything," Schneider said. "As we work to establish our 70, as you guys know, we don't refer to it as our 53…Armani (Perez) and his staff and Willie (Schneider) and Matt Berry and Aaron (Hineline) and everybody upstairs just did a great job. And a special shout out to Carter and Tess, our interns that have to go end up grabbing the guys and that three-minute walk of silence, I've been there, it's not fun. Just excited to continue this tonight as we get into the waiver wire coming out this evening and establishing our practice squad, our initial practice squad tomorrow and a lot of moving parts, as you guys well know, over the next, especially I'd say two weeks as we kind of figure out what the landscape looks like for our team as well as the rest of the National Football League as we prepare for the 2026 regular season."
Here's what we learned from Schneider:
The Seahawks are still all about the full 70-man roster.
While the initial 53-man roster was set on Sunday, the Seahawks are a team that cares about their 53-man roster just as much as they care about the group of players that will make up their 17-player practice squad. Last season, the Seahawks relied on their, practice squad, or as the team calls it, "Ready Squad", all throughout the season, with players moving between the active roster and practice squad. And so, while some players aren't on the initial roster, that doesn't mean they won't be back with the team.
"I'm talking about this a lot this weekend with the guys we're talking to, but again, this is like 70 (players), this whole group of people, it'll probably end up being, as you guys well know… we'll probably have a hundred and some guys through the building this year," Schneider said. "It's not just the players, it's the foundational people like Dave (Dave Pearson) and EK (Erik Kennedy) and Mo (Maurice Kelly) and Soup (Lamar Campbell) and Strick (David Stricklin) and Sam Ramsden and all these people that have been here that always have their hands on the players and are trying to help them be the best they possibly can be, as well as the coaches and everybody that's just touching the players."
And speaking of players who were waived, but likely to sign with the practice squad…
Seahawks hope to sign cornerback Trevon Diggs to the practice squad.
On Sunday, the Seahawks waived cornerback Trevon Diggs but are hoping to sign him to the practice squad. Diggs is not subjected to waivers and can come back and sign to the practice squad.
After a very brief appearance in the Seahawks preseason finale, Diggs said it felt good to get out there, play and get rid of the "jitters." Head coach Mike Macdonald said he was pleased with what he saw from Diggs' preseason appearance which included one interception.
Schneider said it's been "pretty cool" to watch Diggs get acclimated in Seattle.
"He came in a little bit late and he's kind of just getting going," he said. "He's just getting ramped up as you saw the other night just getting his legs under him. But he's confident and we're excited to get him going and see how far he can take this thing. He's really bought into the culture and the guys and the staff and Karl (Scott) and Neiko (Thorpe) and those guys."
Adding Diggs gives Seattle more options and depth at the cornerback position, even though Schneider says he "feels solid" about where that position currently stands.
"That position, you can never have enough guys all the way through and we've been in spots before where we've been stuck where we're signing a guy, practice squad, two weeks here, elevating. We want to be able to have guys that are in the system for a long time that the coaches feel comfortable about playing in games."
Seahawks traded for cornerback Avery Smith.
Before setting their initial 53-man roster, the Seahawks made a roster move to acquire rookie cornerback Avery Smith from the Los Angeles Chargers.
Smith, an undrafted player out of Toledo, had a standout preseason with the Chargers.
"Phenomenal preseason," Schneider said. "I mean, outside nickel has played in our defense now. Coming out, we liked him as a smart, tough, reliable guy, very instinctive. They couldn't speak more highly of him and they had a really nice defensive backfield. They did a really nice job in the offseason and they felt like this was an opportunity. I'm glad they were willing to do it. So yeah, we'll be adding him and get him in the mix. Another young guy that, like I said, could play some nickel and outside and then we'll see what he can do on(special) teams."
Schneider added, "So with Avery, again, he's a system fit. He's been in the same system now for the whole spring and everything. So talking to those guys, it's a comfortable guy. But to your point, yes… Ted Thompson would say, you got to have one in the chamber. You always have a guy in the chamber all the time ready to go."
Montorie Foster Jr. makes the initial 53-man roster after a standout training camp and preseason.
Montorie Foster Jr. who spent camp with the Seahawks last year, before getting hurt and returning back to Ohio where he got his real estate license and was working as a substitute teacher, made the initial 53-man roster.
"Really proud of him and then proud of his teammates, obviously his position coaches," Schneider said. "It's hard to remember a player at the receiver position that's improved as quickly as he has. I told Jax (Jaxon Smith-Njigba), I felt like he just took his film and just completely studied it or just followed him around for all spring or something. And then his special team stuff's been really nice too, so he's done a great job."
Check out photos of the Seahawks 53-man roster for the 2026 season.
This is a 2026 photo of DeMarcus Lawrence of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0)
This is a 2026 photo of Julian Neal of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Julian Neal (1)
This is a 2026 photo of Drew Lock of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2)
This is a 2026 photo of Nick Emmanwori of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3)
This is a 2026 photo of Michael Dickson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4)
This is a 2026 photo of Jason Myers of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5)
This is a 2026 photo of Jalen Milroe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6)
This is a 2025 photo of Uchenna Nwosu of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7)
This is a 2026 photo of Jadarian Price of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8)
This is a 2026 photo of Cooper Kupp of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10)
This is a 2026 photo of Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11)
This is a 2026 photo of Ernest Jones IV of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13)
This is a 2026 photo of Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14)
This is a 2026 photo of Tory Horton of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15)
This is a 2026 photo of Elijah Arroyo of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18)
This is a 2026 photo of Julian Love of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20)
This is a 2026 photo of Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21)
This is a 2026 photo of Rashid Shaheed of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22)
This is a 2026 photo of Emanuel Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (27)
This is a 2026 photo of Nehemiah Pritchett of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28)
This is a 2026 photo of Josh Jobe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29)
This is a 2026 photo of Drake Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (32)
This is a 2026 photo of George Holani of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back George Holani (36)
This is a 2026 photo of Brady Russell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38)
This is a 2026 photo of Ty Okada of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39)
This is a 2026 photo of Chris Stoll of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41)
This is a 2026 photo of Chazz Surratt of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44)
This is a 2026 photo of Tyrice Knight of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48)
This is a 2026 photo of Patrick OíConnell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52)
This is a 2026 photo of Olu Oluwatimi of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55)
This is a 2026 photo of Dante Fowler of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (56)
This is a 2026 photo of Connor OíToole of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57)
This is a 2026 photo of Derick Hall of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58)
This is a 2026 photo of Beau Stephens of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Beau Stephens (60)
This is a 2026 photo of Jalen Sundell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61)
This is a 2026 photo of Christian Haynes of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64)
This is a 2026 photo of Charles Cross of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67)
This is a 2026 photo of Abraham Lucas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72)
This is a 2026 photo of Josh Jones of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Josh Jones (74)
This is a 2026 photo of Anthony Bradford of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75)
This is a 2026 photo of Grey Zabel of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76)
This is a 2026 photo of Bryce Cabeldue of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Bryce Cabeldue (77)
This is a 2026 photo of Eric Saubert of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81)
This is a 2026 photo of Montorie Foster of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87)
This is a 2026 photo of A.J. Barner of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88)
This is a 2026 photo of Nick Kallerup of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup (89)
This is a 2024 photo of Jarran Reed of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90)
This is a 2026 photo of Byron Murphy II of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91)
This is a 2026 photo of Mike Morris of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94)
This is a 2026 photo of Brandon Pili of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95)
This is a 2026 photo of Rylie Mills of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98)
This is a 2024 photo of Leonard Williams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99)
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Avery Smith (36) runs during an NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Inglewood, Calif., Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
