Terrion Arnold’s Seahawks tryout featured in HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’

The second episode of HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ chronicling of Seattle Seahawks training camp and preseason had one very interesting nugget that remains an ongoing story for the Super Bowl champions.

Former Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold, currently facing several felony robbery and kidnapping charges, tried out for the Seahawks at the team facility at the start of the week. While no signing is imminent and Arnold is slated to meet the New York Giants next, the ‘Hard Knocks’ crew does give us a revealing look into the Seahawks front office and their interest in Arnold. This comes shortly after they show Nick Emmanwori rehabbing his injured ankle, which obviously went well enough for him to be activated off of PUP.

Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde: “Is there anything on that guy in Detroit, the one they cut?”

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald: “John’s looking into it. He’s gone spy mode.”

Seahawks general manager John Schneider: “I’m trying to remember, like, with this Terrion Arnold thing, what would be another controversial signing that’s happened so we can kind of like understand that situation.

Seahawks assistant GM Joey Schneider: Situations where someone has like an outstanding thing…

John Schneider: Right, and then they’re signed and/or traded for—acquired, just acquired, you know what I mean?

John Schneider in sit-down interview: “We have 90 players here right now. We’re always kind of looking for what’s next. How do we get ready for a corner that’s not here yet? You know, like, guys that we’re going to need at a certain point. We want to be as strong and healthy as possible in December, January.
about his former Alabama teammate

Schneider: “Last night I was talking about Terrion. I talked to Jalen [Milroe] about him.”

Macdonald: “Oh yeah, what’d he say?”

Schneider: “He was awesome. He’s got a buddy, a high school buddy. He’s like, ‘This place would be awesome for him.’ Just had a baby. His [wife/girl] would move up here with him. He’s just like [Devon Witherspoon].

“Joey [Schneider] thinks he is going to be able to play in the preseason.”

Arnold is seen working out in Seattle’s Renton headquarters facility. Among those in attendance are Mike Macdonald and Aden Durde. Macdonald can be seen shaking hands with Arnold at the end of the tryout, as the unmistakable tones of Liev Schreiber narrates the final line of Episode 2:

“Mike Macdonald has questions: Will Arnold make the team better? And equally important, does he understand the culture and what Seattle is building?”

The fact that this was the cliffhanger is compelling. Arnold has an arraignment hearing scheduled for Thursday, and even if the charges are dropped, he could still face an NFL suspension. However, he’s currently cleared to sign with any team and would be eligible to play in preseason.

This only adds more intrigue as far as how genuine the Seahawks are about acquiring a recent first-round pick who’s had his early ups and downs on the field, and is facing serious trouble off the field.