The Los Angeles Rams' bold blockbuster move to send four picks (including one 2026 first-rounder) to the Kansas City Chiefs for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie really upped the contention and competition that will surely be forthcoming out of the NFC West next season.
Not that the West Coast division wasn't already one of the most competitive and toughest divisions in the NFL, but McDuffie's arrival at the Rams will no doubt churn things up even more. The San Francisco 49ers will obviously have to pay attention to offense, as will the Seattle Seahawks.
In the aftermath of the Rams' trade, the Seahawks are left with a few questions of their own about the cornerback position, with two free agents about to hit the market and growing uncertainty about whether either will return.
So, now that the Rams have made their move, what will John Schneider do in response? One Seahawks insider believes Schneider will attempt to punch back in the same vein with a big splash move.
Seattle Seahawks predicted to aggressively attempt to 'pull the trigger' on a major move
The two Seahawks free agent cornerbacks in question are Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe. Of the two, Woolen, who is also the better and more experienced of the pair, is the likeliest to leave in free agency. Woolen is one of the top cornerbacks in the league and just won a Super Bowl, so he will be in high demand.
The Seahawks may not be willing to pay Woolen what he'll likely be offered on the market. So whether it’s Woolen or Jobe, or both, who walk, and Seattle lets them, they'll have to address that vacancy.
That said, a major offseason move could also cover another position outside of the corner. Smith, a Seahawks reporter with Seattle's Emerald City Spectrum, predicts Schneider will attempt to follow the Rams with their own bold move.
“I do not expect the Rams getting McDuffie to be the last major trade in the NFC West,” Smith said.“There’s an arms race ongoing. The Seahawks don’t love this draft class, and if the right deal presents itself, John Schneider will be ready to pull the trigger.”
Again, McDuffie's trade immediately increased the fire power in the NFC West, but should Schneider pull off his own version of a blockbuster move (which will likely be on defense considering the plethora of free agents they have on that side of the ball and the chance DeMarcus Lawrence retires), it will only further shake the division up further, turning the heat up even higher.
Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders continues to pop up in trade speculation with the Seahawks attached. How about a massive blockbuster move like that one? Whether it actually happens or not, time will tell. The Raiders haven't confirmed they're officially looking to trade their superstar edge. That said, if Schneider pulled that trigger, he would have officially one-upped the Rams.