For the last few days, it’s felt more like a competition to sign Terrion Arnold rather than a series of visits and tryouts.
Despite the accusation of orchestrating the kidnapping and beating of three men, he’d become a cornerback in demand.
He was featured on Hard Knocks, who even showed clips of his workout in Seattle. Both Mike Macdonald and John Harbaugh of the Giants spoke about him at the podium in a way that felt almost like a pitch.
He had other visits with the Texans and Saints.
As discussed on the stream yesterday, given the serious nature of the allegations, the teams surely have intel on what the outcome is going to be. How has Arnold — a valuable former first round pick just two years ago — gone from being cut by the Lions in a flash to doing a tour of the country and now signing with a new team?
His attorney and agency have claimed there’s not sufficient evidence to proceed with the charges. If that is true, he will not face prison. Then it’ll be up to the NFL to determine how much they want to get involved.
The whole thing has been baffling. Pre-2024 draft you would’ve been hard pressed to find a more celebrated player in terms of character. When this story emerged, it was shocking. But determining how involved he was, and proving it, is the key to what happens next for any prosecutor.
Regardless, it appears he’s getting another chance in the NFL based on the news he’s signing with the Seahawks. I don’t think they would’ve made this move if they thought he was going to end up in jail. They have multiple people in their building — staff and players — who know Arnold and may be willing to vouch for him. They’ll have done extensive work before the draft and it’s believed he was a potential Seahawks pick in round one, had Byron Murphy not made it to #16.
I think it’s safe to assume they’re fully across the individual and the legal situation.
It speaks well that he’s made the right decision, in my opinion, to join the Seahawks. Having read through the story in the Athletic — I think moving to the other side of America to join an incredibly professional, veteran-led organisation is just what he needs now.
Some fans might not like the move but personally, I have no problem with it. I trust the Seahawks have done their homework. I trust they have information that we don’t possess that will be guiding their decision.
From a strictly football point of view it’s a heck of an opportunity for Arnold to come in, be coached by a proven staff and try to resurrect his career. For the Seahawks — if they can make this work, they just acquired a first round prospect still in the early development stages of his career at a position of need.
Hard Knocks ended on a Terrion Arnold cliffhanger last week. I’m already looking forward to seeing what the third episode has in store.
