The Seattle Seahawks don’t need to make a trade just because the deadline is approaching. But after a 3-3 start, an offense that has struggled to find consistency, and two difficult games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears ahead, John Schneider has plenty of reasons to explore the market.
The NFL trade deadline is November 10. By then, Seattle should have a much clearer idea of what this team can realistically accomplish. If the Seahawks lose both upcoming games and fall to 3-5, the front
office will have to confront an uncomfortable question: is this roster one or two additions away from getting back on track, or are the problems too widespread for a deadline deal to fix?
The timing of the Indianapolis Colts’ decision to fire general manager Chris Ballard makes that question even more interesting. Ed Dodds, a former Seahawks executive who worked under Schneider, is now overseeing Indianapolis’ personnel department on an interim basis. That doesn’t guarantee a trade between the two teams, but it creates an opportunity worth examining.
Running back: Should Seattle spend big on a star?
The Seahawks’ ground game has been a major concern. Kenneth Walker III departed in free agency, first-round rookie Jadarian Price has been dealing with an injury, and Zach Charbonnet has also been unavailable. Seattle has struggled to replace Walker’s production, leaving the offense without the balance it needs.
Jonathan Taylor is an obvious name to consider. He remains one of the league’s most productive backs, with 1,585 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025. Through six games in 2026, he has 492 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
Taylor’s combination of acceleration, vision, contact balance and finishing ability would give Seattle a runner capable of creating yards even when the blocking isn’t perfect. He could transform the backfield and take some pressure off the passing game. There is also a historical connection. Taylor was a popular potential target for Seattle in the 2020 draft, and footage of him expressing interest in the Seahawks has resurfaced amid the trade speculation.
However, Taylor is not an expiring-contract player. He is under contract through 2028, with $16 million owed in 2027. A deal would likely cost at least a second-rounder plus additional compensation. Seattle would be making a substantial financial and draft investment in a position with a short career window.
That is where the argument against a Taylor trade becomes important. The Seahawks already used a first-round pick on Price, and both Price and Charbonnet are expected to return. They also have future extensions to consider, including defensive tackle Byron Murphy II.
Saquon Barkley offers a comparable high-end alternative. His 2024 season was extraordinary, with 2,005 rushing yards in the regular season and a Super Bowl championship with Philadelphia. His production fell to 1,140 rushing yards in 2025, and he has been limited to four games in 2026 by a hamstring injury.
Barkley is a versatile runner and receiver who could give Seattle another explosive weapon. But the injury situation, contract and acquisition price would all need to be evaluated carefully. The Eagles would also have to be willing to move a player who remains a major part of their offense.
Tony Pollard is a more economical possibility. He has surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in four seasons and could offer a dependable veteran presence. He wouldn’t solve the offense’s structural problems, but he could strengthen the rotation and reduce the pressure on inexperienced or returning players.
Omarion Hampton is a different kind of gamble. The Chargers selected him in the first round in 2025, and he has shown potential despite a modest statistical start to his NFL career. A change of scenery could help, but Los Angeles invested too much in him to move on without a meaningful offer.
Edge rusher: Khalil Mack could make the defense even better
The Seahawks’ defense has generally been more reliable than the offense, but the edge rush has not produced consistently enough. Mike Macdonald’s scheme can generate pressure from the interior, yet Seattle still needs players who can win from the outside.
Dante Fowler was a reasonable low-cost gamble, but his impact has been limited. If the Seahawks want to improve their ability to pressure quarterbacks in critical situations, Khalil Mack is an obvious target.
Mack has three sacks and five tackles for loss through six games in 2026. The veteran is playing on a one-year, $18 million contract with the Chargers, who have struggled badly enough to invite questions about whether they might consider moving veterans.
Mack would bring proven pass-rush ability, strength against the run and experience in high-leverage situations. He could also help Seattle manage the workload and maintain a higher level of pressure throughout the game.
The cost would matter. Other contenders would likely be interested in a player with Mack’s résumé. Still, if Los Angeles makes him available, this is the kind of short-term acquisition that could improve Seattle without requiring a long-term commitment.
YaYa Diaby is another possibility. He recorded nine sacks and 62 pressures in 2025, but has started slowly in 2026, with no sacks and seven pressures. Diaby is younger than Mack and offers more long-term upside, particularly because his contract is expiring. He also has the athleticism and run-defense ability to fit Macdonald’s scheme. The uncertainty is whether Tampa Bay would actually sell, and whether Seattle would be willing to pay enough to beat competing offers.
Carl Granderson could provide another option. He recorded six sacks in 2025 and has 2.5 through four games this season. His size and ability to defend the run make him an interesting fit, although his contract runs through 2027, so he would not be a rental. New Orleans also has its own division race to consider.
Will McDonald IV would offer explosive speed, but the New York Jets exercised his fifth-year option, making him a more complicated and potentially expensive target.
Cornerback: The value of insurance
Brandon Stephens is worth monitoring if the Jets become sellers. He spent four seasons in Baltimore, including the period when Macdonald was part of the Ravens’ coaching staff. That familiarity could ease his transition, although it would not automatically make him a perfect fit.
Cam Hart of the Chargers is a more developmental option. His size and physical profile are intriguing, but Seattle would need to determine whether he is ready to contribute consistently.
Kelee Ringo of the Eagles is the speculative alternative. He entered the league with considerable potential after playing at Georgia, but has yet to become a consistent contributor. A change of scenery could help, particularly if the acquisition cost is low.
Quenton Nelson: The opportunity Seattle shouldn’t ignore
If the Seahawks are serious about improving the offense, Quenton Nelson may be the most compelling target available.
Nelson is 30 years old, a six-time first-team All-Pro and an eight-time Pro Bowler. He is in the final year of his current contract, making him a different proposition from Taylor.
Nelson has a elite zone-blocking performance and the possibility of acquiring him for a second-round pick, similar to what Seattle paid for Leonard Williams in 2023. Maybe Anthony Bradford could be included in a package, giving Indianapolis a younger guard to evaluate while Seattle opens a spot for Nelson.
Nelson would also force a decision about Grey Zabel. Both players are left guards, so Seattle would need to consider moving Zabel to right guard or exploring another reshuffle. The important point is that the adjustment is manageable. Seattle should not reject the opportunity to acquire an elite guard simply because it would require changes elsewhere on the line.
The comparison with Leonard Williams is especially strong. Williams arrived in Seattle in his late twenties on an expiring contract, and the Seahawks paid a second- and fifth-round pick to acquire him. The team later re-signed him, and he became a key defensive player.
Nelson could follow a similar path. Seattle would acquire a high-level veteran, give him a chance to experience the organization, and attempt to convince him to stay beyond the season. Even if he eventually left, the team could potentially receive compensatory draft capital.
Final thoughts
Seattle’s recent midseason trade history provides a useful model. Leonard Williams became a defensive cornerstone. Ernest Jones IV helped stabilize the middle of the defense. Rashid Shaheed added a dynamic return threat.
Those deals had different levels of impact, and not every acquisition needs to become a franchise-defining move. The goal is to improve the team without sacrificing too much of its future.
The 3-3 Seahawks are already chasing a 6-0 San Francisco team, and the remaining schedule is another reason to take the next few weeks seriously. The NFC playoff race will also include the Rams and a competitive NFC North.
A 3-5 record after the Chiefs and Bears games would not automatically end Seattle’s season. It would, however, make the case for a major investment harder to defend unless the front office believes a specific player can change the team’s trajectory.
The best approach is to establish a clear priority. Nelson could transform the offensive line. Mack could improve a pass rush that needs more consistency. A running back might give the offense another dimension, while a cornerback could provide insurance against injuries.
One or two smart acquisitions could make a meaningful difference. But the Seahawks should be buying solutions, not headlines. The deadline is an opportunity to improve the roster — not an obligation to spend draft capital.
