The Seattle Seahawks took Nick Vannett out of Ohio State in the third round of the 2016 draft. He never quite lived up to that draft status, but he has carved out a long career for himself. In fact, he might find his way back to the Pacific Northwest.
According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, Seattle had the tight end in for a visit this week, just one day before veterans were set to report for training camp. The team wouldn't seem to need a tight end, though general manager John Schneider taking another look at the veteran might imply where the offensive scheme is headed.
Vannett left Seattle in September of 2019 after the team traded him to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and since then, he has traveled around the league. He has played for nine teams, so almost a third of the NFL. He spent three-plus seasons with the Seahawks and a year-plus with the New Orleans Saints, but a season or less with every other team.
2016 Seattle Seahawks draft pick Nick Vannett takes a visit with the team
That includes playing in six games with NFC West rival the Los Angeles Rams in 2025. He even played against Seattle in Week 16, but only on special teams. He hasn't had more than 17 catches in a season since 2018, when he had 29 with Seattle. Interestingly, Vannett did have 17 receptions in 2024 with the Tennessee Titans, but three of those were touchdowns.
The assumption is that if the Seattle Seahawks bring back the 33-year-old Nick Vannett, they would do so knowing he is going to help with the rushing attack and be valuable on special teams rather than catch a bunch of passes. That won't happen.
What is important is his time previously with Seattle, but also his half-season with the Rams. Los Angeles runs the kind of offense that Seattle will under new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury. Having a player like Vannett, who understands the basics of the offensive system but has also proven he can learn a playbook fast, might help other players adapt to Fleury's direction.
Seattle visiting with Vannett, who wouldn't be an expensive signing in free agency, also indicates that the Seahawks are looking to involve their tight end group quite a bit in 2026, as long as Fleury is the OC. That probably means more looks for AJ Barner and Elijah Arroyo in the passing game, and that's a good thing.
Will Nick Vannett re-sign with the team that drafted him? Maybe. Even if he does, he has no guarantee that he will make the active 53-man roster when cuts are made before Week 1.
Add us as a preferred source on Google