Seahawks Urged to Address ‘Glaring Roster Weakness’ at NFL Trade Deadline
Quarterback Sam Darnold is playing at a high level for the Seattle Seahawks this season. When healthy, the team also has a defense that is capable of being one of the top units in the league. That makes the Seahawks a candidate to acquire upgrades before the NFL’s trade deadline.
SI on Seahawks’ Tim Weaver argued Sunday that the best upgrade Seattle could make is at right guard. Starter Anthony Bradford has struggled in both run blocking and pass protection.
Weaver called Bradford in pass protection a “glaring roster weakness.”
To address that weakness, The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar encouraged the Seahawks to pursue three different guards — New York Jets’ John Simpson, Cleveland Browns’ Wyatt Teller and Tennessee Titans’ Kevin Zeitler.
“All three players are on expiring contracts with teams that aren’t going anywhere this season,” wrote Dugar.
“Given that those moves would likely be half-year rentals, Seattle probably wouldn’t benefit much from giving up anything more than 2027 draft capital, as it did in the midseason deal for Roy Robertson-Harris last year. If any of those three teams are willing to play ball, though, general manager John Schneider should make a deal.”
All three teams should be motivated to make a deal happen since each are arguably already out of the playoff hunt. And as Dugar indicated, the three guards will be free agents in March.
Those teams could be interested in anything they can get for those veteran guards. All three would offer Seattle an upgrade over Bradford in pass blocking.
Seahawks Again Linked to Wyatt Teller Before NFL Trade Deadline
The Seahawks connected to the Browns offensive guard is nothing new. Teller has been one of the more popular rumored offensive line trade candidates for Seattle this fall.
Pundits only continue to mention Teller as a Seahawks target because of Bradford’s struggles.
“Bradford is one of the lowest-rated guards according to PFF, ranking 73rd out of 82 eligible players, and he’s particularly underperformed in the passing game, ranking 80th in pass-block grade,” wrote Heavy Sports’ Derek Rose. “With the Seahawks (5-2) showing promise as true NFC contenders, many fans and analysts are clamoring for the team to upgrade at right guard, likely via trade.”
Teller didn’t receive any post-season accolades in 2024. But from 2020-23, he made second-team All-Pro twice and the Pro Bowl three times. During that stretch, Teller was arguably one of the most underrated guards in the league.
Teller is in the final year of a four-year, $56.8 million contract. He has a $12.45 million cap hit for this season.
Could Seahawks Target John Simpson or Kevin Zeitler?
The more available guards who could be an upgrade over Bradford, the better for the Seahawks. That will allow the team to land a better guard while not needing to give up a lot in trade compensation.
Guards on expiring contracts are also likely to be the preferred targets for Seattle.
Like Teller, Simpson and Zeitler each fulfill that requirement. Simpson is finishing a two-year, $12 million deal that gives him roughly a $6.7 million cap hit in 2025. Zeitler joined the Titans this past offseason on a one-year, $9 million deal.
Simpson is the younger option, but Zeitler is more accomplished and has more playoff experience.
Zeitler is in his 14th NFL season and made the Pro Bowl in 2023. He has made seven playoff starts. Simpson is seven and a half years younger and has made two playoff appearances with the Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens.
The Seahawks have options in the guard market. That’s a major positive because acquiring a player to replace Bradford is becoming necessary for Seattle.
Luka Dončić Injury Timeline Revealed: Lakers Star Set to Miss Time
The Los Angeles Lakers were dealt a major setback on Sunday as superstar Luka Dončić was diagnosed with a sprained left finger and lower leg contusion that will keep him sidelined for at least a week, according to
“Dončić will be reevaluated in approximately one week,” McMenamin reported.
Injury Timeline Could Stretch Beyond One Week
While the Lakers initially called it a short-term injury, medical experts believe Dončić could miss more than just a few games.
Dr. Evan Jeffries, an NBA and NFL injury specialist and owner of Evolving Motion Physical Therapy in San Diego, said on X (formerly Twitter) that Dončić will likely require additional recovery and ramp-up time before returning to action.
“This likely means Luka won’t be back exactly in a week — he’ll need a ramp-up period,” Jeffries wrote. “Based on the Lakers’ schedule, he could miss approximately 5–10 games.”
The Lakers’ next 10-day stretch includes games against the Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies. Losing Dončić for an extended stretch could derail the team’s early-season rhythm.
A Crushing Blow After Historic Start
The timing of Dončić’s injury is particularly painful. The Slovenian superstar was coming off a 49-point performance in the Lakers’ 128–110 victory over the Timberwolves, avenging last season’s first-round playoff exit.
Through two games, Dončić was averaging 46.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists, the highest two-game scoring total to start a season in Lakers franchise history.
He opened the year with 43 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists in a narrow 119–109 loss to the Golden State Warriors, followed by his near-50-point masterpiece against Minnesota.
Beyond the scoring outburst, Dončić had also impressed Lakers staff with his improved conditioning and defensive intensity — two areas that drew heavy criticism during last year’s playoffs.
“Last year was really tough for me,” Dončić said after Friday’s win. “I just want to forget about last season. We’re gonna meet them a few more times this year — it’s going to be a war every time we play them.”
Lakers’ Depth Tested Without Dončić and LeBron
Dončić’s injury compounds a growing list of Lakers’ health issues. LeBron James remains sidelined with sciatic nerve irritation, while Maxi Kleber (abdominal strain) and rookie Adou Thiero (left knee) remain out. Backup center Jaxson Hayes will miss his second straight game with knee soreness.
That leaves Austin Reaves as the team’s primary offensive option. The 27-year-old guard has thrived in that role before — most notably last season, when he dropped a career-high 45 points in a 124–117 win over the Indiana Pacers with both James and Dončić out.
Reaves became the youngest Laker since Kobe Bryant (2006) to record a 40-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist performance and joined an exclusive club that includes Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Bryant, and James.
Ayton and Smart Must Step Up
New Lakers additions Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart will also need to shoulder more responsibility.
Ayton is averaging 12.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks while shooting 66.7% from the field through two games. Smart has provided defensive stability with 1.5 steals per game, but only 6.0 points on offense.
Both veterans will be key in keeping the Lakers afloat during Dončić’s absence.
Lakers Brace for Life Without Luka
Dončić’s recovery timeline will depend on how quickly the swelling subsides in his finger and lower leg. Even if he returns after the one-week reevaluation window, he will likely face minutes restrictions and conditioning tests before resuming full game action.
For a Lakers team already battling injuries to multiple starters, every missed game could carry heavy weight in the Western Conference standings.
Until Dončić returns, the Lakers’ championship hopes will rest on the shoulders of Reaves, Ayton, and Smart — and a fanbase holding its breath for the return of its new franchise cornerstone.
