Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald spoke about the team’s controversial decision to sign former Detroit Lions first-round pick Terrion Arnold, who is facing several felony charges in Florida.
Following Friday’s practice for their preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys, Macdonald was asked several questions about the decision, from how they view him as a player to his fit in the culture. Macdonald declined to comment on anything regarding Arnold’s current legal proceedings, saying the team would allow the league and court processes to play out.
“I think it was an opportunity to bring on a player that we felt strongly about during the draft process,” Macdonald told the media. ‘We also understand that it’s a serious situation with a legal matter. There’s a process behind it, so we respect that. That’s how we’ll operate too, just letting that process play out and let the league decide if and when his return to play is.”
Seattle hosted the former Alabama star for a tryout on Sunday, which Macdonald described as “great.” Macdonald said that he spoke to several people, whom he respects, about Arnold, and they supported him as a person. He added that he had informal one-on-one conversations with players prior to signing the former first-round pick and that he was confident in the team’s locker room and team.
“I referenced the folks that had been in his corner throughout the process as well and we respect those people. We’re not going to ignore those folks that we really respect, and have a strong opinion about it as well,” Macdonald said. “When you put all of those things together, it felt like it was a good opportunity for the team.”
While the team has agreed to terms with Arnold, Macdonald said the Seahawks are still working through a timeline for him to join the team, meaning he won’t be suiting up for the Seahawks in their preseason opener on Saturday night. Additionally, the NFL has the option to place Arnold on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, which would bar him from playing any regular season games.
“All I know is that there’s an availability, if the league lets it happen, that he could play. In terms of when that happens and how that goes down, it’s just part of that process,” Macdonald said. “The facts of the case, all those things about the comments of what happens, that’s not our responsibility to have a comment on that nor can we. I think we just have to understand that there’s a process at play, and we’re going to let it play out.”
When asked about Arnold as a player, Macdonald lauded Arnold’s physicality and speed, saying that his skill set fits the identity of the secondary. The Seahawks head coach said Arnold is used to some of the pattern matching that the Seahawks do from his time at Alabama and that he believes there’s a spot for him if he becomes the best version of himself.
“We want players to come in and be the best version of themselves,” Macdonald said. “We believe that if you do that, then the team’s going to be better for it as well. Terrion [Arnold] will be the same process with him if or when he gets here.”
The signing is meant to bolster a Seahawks cornerback group that lost Riq Woolen this offseason and is set to rely on inexperienced players, like Nehemiah Pritchett and rookies Julian Neal and Michael Dansby, to fill the role.