Seahawks trade Nick Vannett to Steelers, will get Luke Willson back

The Seahawks shipped tight end Nick Vannett to the Steelers for a fifth-round pick last night. They will even get a fan favorite to return.

This was a bit of a surprise, as you don’t see too many trades announced at the end of the day on a Tuesday. The Seahawks traded tight end Nick Vannett to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2020 fifth-round draft pick. Vannett had his share of big moments for Seattle. Not there was ever any doubt, but the job clearly belongs to Will Dissly now. In another surprise, Luke Willson may return to back him up.

Vannett was Seattle’s most productive tight end in 2018 and started nine of his 15 total games. However, those starts came only after Dissly went down after just four games. Dissly resumed his starting role this season, making Vannett expendable. At least, that appears to be the Seahawks view, as the only other tight end on the active roster is George Fant. Fant is, of course, a 332-pound offensive tackle with one career catch to his credit.

The Seahawks do have alternatives available. Unfortunately, one won’t be ready until week nine. Ed Dickson was placed on injured reserve in the same move that brought receiver Jaron Brown back to Seattle. There is no way the Hawks will go another five games without a true tight end to back up Dissly. Initially, I assumed they would simply activate Jacob Hollister from the practice squad. It’s entirely possible they’ll do that, but a report by Bob Condotta brings up a very interesting possibility.

As he reported in the Seattle Times, Condotta expects the Seahawks will bring Luke Willson back to the Emerald City. Condotta isn’t the only one on this either. Liz Mathews of USA Today’s Seahawks Wire tweeted this late last night, three hours after she reported the Vannett trade:

If this is true, a lot of 12s are going to be ecstatic about this move. Willson is available as he didn’t make the final cut for the Raiders 53-man roster. Personally, I think the Raiders were foolish to let Willson go. Remember, these are the geniuses who traded Kahlil Mack away and thought Antonio Brown would behave. Chucky’s loss is the Seahawks gain.

If Willson does land back in Seattle, this is a very nice deal for the Hawks. Vannett was in the final year of his deal and would be a free agent in 2020. Willson is at least as capable as Vannett. Even without the irrepressible Willson, Seattle comes out ahead on this deal. They’re getting a fifth-round pick for a player that probably wouldn’t be around next year. We wish Vannett the best of luck in Steeltown. With luck, Willson will return because the Hawks can certainly use him. Are you ready for it, 12s? Techno Thursday could be back!