Seahawks near deal with former Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold amid legal issues

Seattle is close to finalizing a one-year, league-minimum contract with former Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold, despite the player facing multiple felony charges in Florida. Arnold, a former Alabama All-American and 24th-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was waived by the Lions after being charged with four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery related to an alleged robbery and kidnapping incident in Tampa. He posted a $1 million bond and was released without a GPS monitor, pleading not guilty and awaiting a status hearing on Oct. 5.

The NFL could place Arnold on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, which would keep him off the active roster while the league investigates, similar to past cases involving Adrian Peterson and Tom Brady. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said the team has not received guidance from the league about Arnold’s availability and that the player has not yet signed a contract, but an agreement has been reached.

Arnold’s on-field résumé includes a first-team All-American honor at Alabama in 2023 and 15 starts for Detroit as a rookie, though his second season was limited by a shoulder injury that required surgery. Pro Football Focus ranked him 97th among 114 cornerbacks last season. The Seahawks currently have Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe as starters and are evaluating Arnold as a potential depth option alongside third-year corner Nehemiah Pritchett and rookie Julian Neal.

"There’s a really great opportunity that we think his skill set fits in our secondary," Macdonald said. "He plays with a lot of energy, physicality…"