In considering this move, John Schneider was preparing for controversy.
Cue the controversy.
The Seahawks are expected to sign free-agent cornerback and former Detroit Lions first-round draft choice Terrion Arnold in the coming days, an NFL source told The News Tribune Thursday afternoon.
The news comes on the same day Arnold appeared in a Tampa, Florida, courtroom via Zoom remotely for an arraignment regarding the eight felony charges against him. Those charges are related to a beating, burglary and kidnapping incident from February there.
Arnold is free on $1 million bond. His next scheduled hearing is reportedly Oct. 5, in person in court in Tampa.
He tried out for the Seahawks at the team’s headquarters in Renton Sunday. He also visited the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants this week.
Coach Mike Macdonald envisions Arnold and three-time Pro Bowl selection Devon Witherspoon as 23- and 25-year-old starting cornerbacks who are first-round picks.
Schneider and his pro personnel staff have learned through their own investigation of Arnold’s situation that Arnold is likely to be able to play in preseason games the next three weeks.
Still to be determined: Whether the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell will put him on his exempt list and effectively suspend Arnold until the legal authorities in Florida decide more of his case. Goodell has sweeping power to do that, even without a final legal resolution as the court process continues into the fall and perhaps winter.
The Seahawks’ season begins Sept. 9 with the NFL kick-off game against New England at Lumen Field.
The News Tribune asked Macdonald Monday if the team had an understanding the Arnold will be available to play most of this coming season.
“I think we understand that, like, everything is kind of on the table,” Macdonald said. “That’s where we’re at in the process.”
The Seahawks have obviously advanced in that process in the last three days.
Signing Arnold is exactly what Macdonald means when he talks about “chasing edges.”
“It’s a situation where there are other things surrounding it, as well. We are aware of that,” Macdonald said. “We’re working through the situation right now.
“But it was a great visit (with Arnold Sunday). I really enjoyed meeting him. And I think he enjoyed being here.”
Guess so.
Macdonald also says the Seahawks were doing their “due diligence” in considering to add Arnold. It will be a signing uncharacteristic for how Macdonald has built a tightly bonded locker room in his first two years as Seattle’s head coach. The unique togetherness is what players cite as the primary reason the team won the Super Bowl six months ago.
Now they are on the verge of adding a 23-year-old cornerback who is facing a possible sentence of life in prison for allegedly orchestrating the kidnapping by six associates and beating at gunpoint of three men Arnold allegedly believed stole $250,000 worth of luxury items with $100,000 in case from a rented house in Florida this past winter.
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