The Seattle Seahawks have their initial 53-man roster for 2026 set and changes should be expected in the days and weeks to come. The biggest surprise on the roster is cornerback Avery Smith, who the Seahawks swung a trade for with the Chargers right at the deadline, sending a sixth-round pick in 2027 back to L.A..
Smith is an undrafted free agent rookie but was widely expected to make the Chargers roster after a strong camp. Mike Macdonald has a good relationship with L.A. head coach Jim Harbaugh from their days together at Michigan, so it can be assumed that Smith comes with a strong endorsement.
The Seahawks did keep Jalen Milroe on the roster, but released Trevon Diggs. As I wrote a couple of days ago, releasing Diggs would not be unexpected and it’s possible the veteran will be back on the team shortly. The team also kept Montorie Foster, and released receivers Cody White, Ricky White, and Emmanuel Henderson.
Irv Charles was placed on IR with a designation to return, meaning that he stays on the team but has to miss the first four games of the season.
Seattle also cut half of its rookie class (also as expected), as well as Jared Ivey, Noah Igbinoghene, and D’Anthony Bell.
Seahawks initial 2026 53-man roster
QB (3) - Sam Darnold, Drew Lock, Jalen Milroe
RB (3) - Jadarian Price, George Holani, Emanuel Wilson
FB (1) - Brady Russell
WR (5) - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed, Tory Horton, Montorie Foster
TE (4) - A.J. Barner, Eric Saubert, Elijah Arroyo, Nick Kallerup
OL (10) - Charles Cross, Grey Zabel, Jalen Sundell, Anthony Bradford, Abe Lucas, Josh Jones, Olu Oluwatimi, Beau Stephens, Christian Haynes, Bryce Cabeldue
DL (6) - Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy, Jarran Reed, Mike Morris, Rylie Mills, Brandon Pili
OLB (5) - DeMarcus Lawrence, Uchenna Nwosu, Derick Hall, Dante Fowler, Connor O’Toole
LB (5) - Ernest Jones, Drake Thomas, Tyrice Knight, Chazz Surratt, Patrick O’Connell
CB (5) - Devon Witherspoon, Josh Jobe, Nehemiah Pritchett, Julian Neal, Avery Smith (trade)
S (3) - Julian Love, Nick Emmanwori, Ty Okada
ST (3) - Jason Myers, Michael Dickson, Chris Stoll
*CB Terrion Arnold: Commissioner’s Exempt List
IR: S Bud Clark, WR Jake Bobo, FB Robbie Ouzts, G Mason Richman, LB Chris Paul
IR to return: Irv Charles
Reserve/PUP: RB Zach Charbonnet
Cuts:
RB Jacardia Wright
RB Velus Jones
RB Justin Jones
FB Brock Lampke (injured)
WR Ricky White
WR Emmanuel Henderson
WR Julian Hicks
WR Rashad Rochelle
WR Cody White
TE Nick Vannett
OL Bobby Hart
OL Amari Kight (injured)
OL Federico Maranges
OL Logan Brown
OL Kellen Diesch
DT Bubba Thomas
DT JR Singleton
DT Deven Eastern
DT Uso Seumalo
OLB Jamie Sheriff
OLB Jared Ivey
OLB Aidan Hubbard
OLB Marvin Jones
OLB Jalan Gaines
LB Aaron Smith (injured)
LB Power Echols (injured)
CB Michael Dansby
CB Andre Fuller
CB Jordan Washington
CB Noah Igbinoghene
CB Trevon Diggs
S D’Anthony Bell
S A.J. Finley
S Rodney Thomas II
S Maxen Hook
S Tysheem Johnson
What stands out to you?
Share Seaside Joe with other Seahawks fans. Subscribe to not miss more breaking Seahawks news like this!
Only 3 safeties stands out to me. Emmanwori must be close. Bell has likely agreed to sign with the Seahawks practice squad and will move up week 1. I’m shocked about the trade. No one stepped up to take a CB job. A UDFA on the 53 after all. Diggs to the practice squad along with Igbinoghene? What about Dansby and Fuller. Will they keep 4 CBs on the practice squad?
Terminated, Vested Veteran not subject to waivers
S D’ Anthony Bell
CB Trevon Diggs
T Bobby Hart
CB Noah Igbinoghene
RB Velus Jones Jr.
S Rodney Thomas IT
TE Nick Vannett
WR Cody White