The second episode of Hard Knocks closed with footage of free-agent cornerback Terrion Arnold working out with the Seahawks. The third episode airs tonight, and it could be interesting, depending on what the team allows into the final cut.
The Seahawks believed Arnold would be able to play in the preseason. That belief was off. Arnold, to no surprise, will land on the Commissioner Exempt list when he is signed, because of eight pending felony charges that carry a possible sentence of life in prison.
So what will Seattle do? Pay him while he cannot practice or play? Or find a way to slow things down and ultimately not follow through on the agreement to sign him?
Unless the Lions have tried to void his guaranteed pay for 2026 and 2027, and unless Arnold loses the inevitable grievance, he will be paid by Detroit. If the Seahawks do not sign him, he does not lose anything.
What is the upside for Seattle? There is nothing to gain from having Arnold under contract until the criminal charges are resolved in his favor.
The Seahawks apparently would have paid Arnold the minimum salary if he could practice and play in the preseason. Without any way to get him onto the practice field or into games, signing him offers no benefit.
That points toward a graceful exit, but it will not be easy after they announced an agreement to sign him.
Hovering over the situation is the arrival of the team's new owners. Super Bowl victory notwithstanding, the Khosla family will regard this entire misadventure as odd, to say the least. That is hardly the first impression current management will want to make on new ownership.
Source: www.nbcsports.com — Read the original article
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