Arnold met with the Seahawks this past weekend, a session head coach Mike Macdonald called a "great visit, a great tryout."
He'd also taken visits with the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, and New York Giants before choosing Seattle.
Legal Situation He's Bringing With Him
The Detroit Lions drafted Arnold 24th overall in 2024 and released him in late June, less than a week after he was arrested in Tampa, Florida, on felony charges connected to an alleged robbery and kidnapping.
Arnold faces four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery, eight felony charges in total, and is confined to his home except for work-related activity like this exact free-agent process. He has denied any wrongdoing.
ESPN sources: former Lions CB Terrion Arnold plans to sign with the Seattle Seahawks. Arnold also had visited the Texans, Saints and Giants.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 13, 2026
Next the NFL must decide whether to put Arnold on the Commissioner’s Exempt List after he was arrested on felony charges in connection… pic.twitter.com/bVTooM8r6L
His arraignment on those charges landed August 13, the same day his signing with Seattle became known. The NFL still has to determine whether Arnold will be placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List, which would allow him to be paid and remain part of the organization while barred from practicing or playing.
Seattle Is Willing To Take The Risk
Arnold started 15 of 16 games as a rookie in 2024, recording 60 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and a 93.7 passer rating allowed, before an injury-shortened, disrupted 2025 limited him to eight games.
The Seahawks have real churn at cornerback behind Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe, with third-round rookie Julian Neal battling injuries and nickel Nick Emmanwori uncertain for Week 1 after offseason ankle surgery.
BREAKING: The #Seahawks are expected to sign former Lions CB Terrion Arnold, multiple sources tell me.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 13, 2026
Arnold, the former 1st-rounder out of Alabama, gets a fresh start. https://t.co/umGnWfkKlD pic.twitter.com/RSmuhpa8a6
Per Jordan Schultz, Arnold is close with Seahawks backup quarterback Jalen Milroe, who gave the organization positive reviews about his fit with the team, a relationship that reportedly factored into Seattle's comfort level.
