John Schneider Needs to Make a Call: The DeShon Elliott Trade That Could Fix Seattle's Secondary
The Seahawks rode Kenneth Walker to a Super Bowl championship, but here's the brutal reality of winning it all: everybody wants your guys. Walker grabbed his bag and headed to Kansas City. Riq Woolen bolted to Philadelphia. Coby Bryant signed with Chicago. That's what happens when you've got championship-caliber talent and other teams are throwing money around like it grows on trees. Now Seattle's secondary is looking thin, and it's time for GM John Schneider to get aggressive.
The Secondary Bleeding Out
Look, losing that much veteran experience in the back end hurts. Schneider signed Rodney Thomas II to help patch things up, but here's the thing: Thomas has basically been a special teams guy over the last two years. That's not a long-term fix. Bleacher Report's Moe Moton nailed it when he said Schneider has actually done solid work in recent drafts, but you can't just rely on young guys to fill massive holes. You need proven veterans mixed in, especially at safety.
Enter DeShon Elliott: The Veteran Move That Makes Sense
Here's where Pittsburgh's DeShon Elliott enters the conversation. The guy is a former Texas standout who's been around the block. Drafted by Baltimore in the sixth round back in 2018, Elliott has played for the Lions and Dolphins, but spent the last two years in Pittsburgh as a full-time starter and an actual difference-maker in 2024. And here's the kicker: Mike Macdonald was Baltimore's linebackers coach when Elliott was there, so they've got history.
The Steelers just signed safeties Jaquan Brisker and Darnell Savage, which means Elliott could be playing a reduced role unless Jalen Ramsey slides into the slot full-time. That's the opening Seattle needs. Elliott's resume is legit: 77 games played, 69 starts, 433 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 25 pass defenses, and five interceptions. Never made a Pro Bowl, but he's a proven starter who gets the job done.
Sure, Elliott suffered a hyperextended knee in Week 8 against the Packers that ended his season early, but the injury history shouldn't scare off a team that needs help now. Schneider should pick up the phone and see if Pittsburgh would move him. This is exactly the kind of veteran depth move that turns a secondary from questionable to solid.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.