Seahawks just pulled off a savvy move to keep a former All-Pro around in a way that won’t cost them much
It’s not all that often you get a former All-Pro on the practice squad, but that’s exactly what the Seattle Seahawks have going for them.
The Seattle Seahawks made one of the smarter roster moves of cutdown day, signing cornerback Trevon Diggs to the practice squad in a decision that speaks volumes about how general manager John Schneider operates.
This is a master class in managing the cap while keeping the best players available on the roster.
Why the move matters financially for the Seahawks
Jordan Schultz reported that Diggs is fully healthy. He played with Seattle during the preseason and recorded an interception in the finale against Kansas City. He’s been doing good things for this team, overall, and gets to now stick around.
The real story is in the contract details. Diggs’ base salary will not be fully guaranteed if he is not on the Week 1 roster. By placing him on the practice squad for now, GM John Schneider avoids triggering that fully guaranteed money, which is significant given Diggs’ age and injury history.
There is no reason Diggs can’t be on the active roster going forward throughout the season, assuming another team doesn’t swoop in and claim him. But if Seattle doesn’t carry him on the 53-man roster in Week 1, the Seahawks don’t owe that guaranteed figure. That’s an incredibly savvy piece of cap management with a player who carries some risk.
Seattle has a secondary in need of reinforcements
I thought Diggs certainly earned a place on this football team after preseason. Look, with the banged-up status of Seattle’s secondary, the Seahawks could use a veteran like him in that room. Terrion Arnold’s placement on the commissioner’s exempt list only intensifies that need, and that situation figures to keep him off the field for some time.
Diggs brings experience and ball skills to a cornerback group that needs both right now. Even as a practice squad player initially, his presence gives the coaching staff another option they can elevate when the time is right.
There could be more waiver moves throughout the day from Seattle, and I expect the front office to stay active. The defending champs are doing everything they can to bolster this roster and have it ready for Week 1 and beyond as they look to defend their title.
Schneider has proven time and again that he understands how to work the margins. Signing Diggs to the practice squad instead of the active roster, dodging that guaranteed money while keeping a talented corner in the building, is exactly the kind of move that keeps a championship team competitive. Seattle is going to be just fine heading into this season.
