The second episode of Hard Knocks featuring the Seahawks (which was grossly overhyped as potentially the best episode in series history) included multiple references to the team’s recent workout of former Lions first-round cornerback Terrion Arnold.
There was no mention of the specific extent of the off-field problem Arnold is facing — life in prison for alleged armed robbery and kidnapping.
The show included a conversation between G.M. John Schneider and assistant G.M. Joey Schneider. In discussing the potential ramifications of signing Arnold, they danced around the allegations, calling it an “outstanding thing.” John Schneider openly wondered about similar situations that may have arisen in the past.
During a conversation between John Schneider and coach Mike Macdonald, the G.M. said he spoke to former Alabama teammate Jalen Milroe about Arnold. Per Schneider, Milroe said “this place would be awesome for” Arnold.
John Schneider also said of Arnold, “Joey thinks he is going to be able to play in the preseason.”
That’s a coin toss at best, in our view. Given the gravity of the pending charges, the NFL’s first move if/when Arnold is signed could be to put him on the Commissioner Exempt list.
The episode concluded with footage of Arnold’s workout, under this narration from Liev Schreiber: “Mike Macdonald has questions. Will Arnold make the team better? And equally important, does he understand the culture and what Seattle is building?”
The far more important question is whether the Seahawks will ultimately end up paying Arnold to not play, if he’s signed and then promptly placed on paid leave until his criminal case is resolved.
With new ownership arriving soon (the vote on Vinod Khosla’s bid is set for August 26), it’s hardly an ideal time for the coaching staff and the front office to have the first impression consist of an unforced error.
