Seahawks' GM says team likely would have released Terrion Arnold amid pending felony charges
In a Hard Knocks episode, Seahawks general manager John Schneider indicated the franchise would probably cut cornerback Terrion Arnold if the allegations against him were confirmed, mirroring the Lions' recent decision.
During the latest episode of the NFL documentary series, Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider discussed the team's pending free-agent signing of cornerback Terrion Arnold with special-teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh. Schneider said the Lions' decision to release Arnold after his arrest on eight felony counts was understandable and that the Seahawks would likely have taken similar action.
"If you’re [the Lions], why would you release him?" Harbaugh asked. "Well, it was because it was very shocking. Like, if you read The Athletic article, it’s not good, you know?" Schneider replied. "And you would imagine if it was flipped, it’d probably be the same thing here?" Harbaugh said. "I think we probably would have had to let him go," Schneider admitted.
Schneider also noted that he consulted former Alabama coach Nick Saban as part of the Seahawks' due-diligence process and later spoke with Arnold’s agent, Nicole Lynn, about a potential contract. The episode did not indicate whether the prospective owners of the Seahawks had been consulted on the matter.
Legal proceedings against Arnold remain ongoing, and a conviction could result in a life sentence. The team’s stance reflects its policy on handling players facing serious criminal allegations.