The defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks are actively considering signing cornerback Terrion Arnold, a 23-year-old free agent facing eight felony charges including kidnapping and armed robbery.
His arraignment is set for Thursday, Aug. 13 in Tampa and Seattle's preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys two days later at Lumen Field.
The tryout took place at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, minutes from Bellevue. Head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed the visit at training camp media availability on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
"It's enough right now that we had him in for a great visit, a great tryout," Macdonald told reporters, according to Field Gulls. "It's a situation where there's some other things that are surrounding it as well — we're aware of that. But we're working through the situation right now."
Macdonald said the team would "do our due diligence" and noted that people the organization respects have vouched for Arnold's character.
The charges
Arnold was drafted 24th overall by the Detroit Lions in 2024 out of Alabama, where he earned All-American honors. The Lions released him June 29 after his arrest on eight felony counts.
Prosecutors in Tampa allege Arnold orchestrated the abduction and beating of three men he wrongly suspected of stealing luxury goods and $100,000 in cash from his Airbnb rental in early February. According to Field Gulls' reporting, prosecutors say Arnold directed associates to hold, beat and pistol-whip the victims, though he was not physically present. Arnold posted $1 million bond and is free to sign with any NFL team.
If convicted on all counts, Arnold could face life in prison under Florida law.
Why Seattle is interested
The Seahawks lost No. 3 cornerback Riq Woolen to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency this offseason, and third-round rookie Julian Neal is dealing with a leg injury in camp, according to ESPN's training camp preview. Star corner Devon Witherspoon remains unsigned on a contract extension after more than three months of negotiations.
Arnold recorded 91 combined tackles, one interception and 18 passes deflected across 22 starts in two seasons with Detroit before a shoulder injury ended his 2025 campaign early.
Seattle is one of at least three teams evaluating Arnold. He visited the Houston Texans in early July and is also scheduled to work out for the New Orleans Saints.
The 'island of misfit toys' debate
On KIRO Newsradio on Aug. 11, co-host Spike O'Neill invoked former coach Pete Carroll's "island of misfit toys" philosophy, arguing that GM John Schneider's program has a track record of rehabilitating players other teams gave up on, citing Frank Clark and Marshawn Lynch as examples.
Seahawks defensive backs coach Karl Scott helped recruit Arnold to Alabama, giving the coaching staff a limited but existing connection to the player.
No signing decision has been announced. Arnold's arraignment is Thursday, Aug. 13. Seattle opens its preseason schedule Saturday, Aug. 15 against Dallas at Lumen Field.
