The Seattle Seahawks have made a surprising trade for cornerback Avery Smith from the Los Angeles Chargers, a move that caught the rookie off guard after a strong training camp and preseason. Smith, who went undrafted out of the University of Toledo, expressed his surprise at being traded before the regular season, noting that such trades are rare for undrafted players.
On roster cut-down day, the Seahawks sent a sixth-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft to acquire Smith. General manager John Schneider highlighted Smith's impressive preseason performance and mentioned that the team had previously scouted him while assessing other players from Toledo. Smith's connections with former Toledo teammates Andrew Fuller and Maxen Hook, both now on the Seahawks' practice squad, may enhance team chemistry.
Schneider, who has been the Seahawks' GM for 17 years, stated that the decision to bring Smith on board was influenced by his potential defensive contributions. Smith's ability to play both nickel and outside cornerback positions is particularly valuable as the Seahawks look for a dependable third cornerback following Riq Woolen's departure to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The addition of Smith aligns with head coach Mike Macdonald's efforts to bolster the defensive backfield ahead of the upcoming season opener against New England at Lumen Field. Details regarding Smith's specific role in the lineup remain unclear.