Seahawks Named Trade Fit for 7-Time Pro Bowl Lineman
Upgrading the interior of their offensive line remains one of the obvious needs for the Seattle Seahawks ahead of the 2025 NFL trade deadline, and a seven-time Pro Bowl guard could be on the block as an ideal replacement for beleaguered starter Anthony Bradford.
It’s Cleveland Browns veteran Joel Bitonio who makes sense as a trade target, according to ESPN’s Seth Walder. He pointed out how “The Seahawks are in a much better place with their offensive line now compared to a year ago, but it would be worthwhile for them to make a short-term upgrade at the deadline since they are a contender. That’s what this would be, with Bitonio coming in to replace Anthony Bradford (by shifting either him or Grey Zabel to right guard). Bitonio, 34, is in the last year of his contract and would be a significant boost in both run and pass blocking.”
Bitonio has enough of a pedigree to offset any concerns about his age. The two-time first-team All-Pro might even give the Seahawks the extra bulk up front they need to improve a sluggish running game.
Joel Bitonio Trade Makes a Lot of Sense for Seahawks
There’s a good deal of logic behind any trade proposal involving Bitonio and the Seahawks. For one thing, “the Seahawks have $21.5 million in salary-cap space, according to Over the Cap. As for assets, Seattle has one pick in each of the first six rounds of the 2026 draft,” per Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic.
General manager John Schneider has the assets to swing a mid-season swap, but the talent on a 5-2 roster means he doesn’t need to swing for the fences with a headline-grabbing move. Snagging ageing but still effective Bitonio off a losing Browns team would be low-cost, lower risk and addressing an obvious deficiency.
Bitonio is still moving people in the trenches, and playing for Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski means he’s well-versed knocking open holes for the run. The 6-foot-4, 320-pounder would add the greater size the Seahawks need to help a transition away from their flailing zone-stretch schemes to more straight-ahead power on the ground.
Dugar noted how Seattle’s offense tried more runs “between the tackles” against the Houston Texans in Week 7. Bitonio’s presence would help after he’s played 542 snaps at left guard this season, per Pro Football Focus.
Putting the 12-year pro into the same spot in Seattle would allow the Seahawks to make another shift up front.
Trade Would Let Seahawks Change O-Line
Walder’s suggestion about the Seahawks moving Grey Zabel to the right side has a lot of merit. The 2025 NFL draft first-round pick has already proved a capable starter, so moving him across the front, following any deal for Bitonio, would instantly upgrade two positions.
A pairing of Zabel and Bitonio would also send Bradford to the bench. He’s been finding it difficult to win one-on-one matchups and move defenders in space.
Getting to the second level in a hurry is a key tenant of the zone-based system preferred by offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. A change to more counter and gap concepts is likely needed to revive this dormant ground game, but it will require bulkier blockers at the point of attack.
Terry Rozier’s Lawyer Makes Stunning Admission in NBA Gambling Case
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier’s attorney pushed back Tuesday against allegations that his client provided inside information to bettors in one of the largest federal sports betting investigations in NBA history.
In an interview with FOX News Channel’s The Will Cain Show, attorney Jim Trusty acknowledged that Rozier discussed his injury with a childhood friend — but insisted that the conversation was personal, not criminal.
Rozier’s Attorney: ‘Confiding in a Friend Is Not a Crime’
Rozier, 31, is accused of giving nonpublic health information to his friend Deniro Laster before a March 2023 game while he was still playing for the
In the unsealed indictments reviewed by Heavy Sports, Federal prosecutors allege that Rozier told Laster he planned to leave the game early because of a lingering foot injury. Laster then allegedly sold that information to bettors for roughly $100,000, before Rozier exited the game after just nine minutes.
But Trusty argued that Rozier’s comments were not part of a gambling conspiracy.
“Confiding in a friend, a childhood friend, and saying, ‘Man, I’m banged up, it’s the end of the season, we’re out of the playoffs, I think I’m going to sit early in this game’ — that’s not a crime,” Trusty said. “That’s simply confiding in a friend. Whatever that friend did is not on Terry.”
Trusty added that the allegations were thin and framed Rozier as a victim of association rather than intent.
“Maybe the league should create rules that say you can only tell a manager, trainer or your mom,” Trusty said. “But what Terry did isn’t illegal. The allegations in the indictment are incredibly thin.”
Prosecutors Say Rozier Counted Gambling Proceeds
According to the federal indictment, however, Rozier allegedly paid for Laster’s travel to Philadelphia, where Laster collected the proceeds of the bet. Prosecutors said Laster later drove to Rozier’s home, where the two counted the cash together.
Both men were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering as part of a sweeping federal operation that led to 34 arrests, including those of
Trusty flatly denied that Rozier was involved in any money exchange.
“We very much dispute that,” Trusty said. “Terry Rozier had a $100 million contract and a major shoe endorsement. The idea that he’d risk that to fake an injury for $100,000 is absurd.”
Rozier’s Lawyer: ‘He Actually Lost Money’
Getty Jim Trusty, attorney for Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, talks to press outside the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Trusty said Rozier’s decision to rest his injured foot was medically supported and cost him financially.
“This was a guy who was banged up after a long 82-game season,” Trusty said. “The Hornets were out of the playoffs. Medical staff knew. Coaching staff knew. He sat the final few games. He actually lost money — his shoe deal had appearance bonuses he didn’t reach.”
Trusty emphasized that Rozier’s injury was chronic and that he was acting on medical advice, not betting motivations.
“This wasn’t some secret plan. It was a normal end-of-season shutdown,” he said.
Rozier Posts Bail, Salary Held in Escrow
Rozier, who was traded to the Miami Heat in 2024, has since posted bail, using his $6 million Florida home as collateral.
According to
“I’m not seeing anything that makes me think Terry should have been charged,” Trusty said. “This is a situation where a friend took information and ran with it. Terry didn’t do anything.”
Rozier’s case is part of an expanding federal investigation into illegal betting networks tied to current and former NBA figures, raising further questions about the league’s integrity policies in the age of legalized sports wagering.
