Mike Macdonald: Signing Terrion Arnold ‘good opportunity’ for Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said references the team received backing up cornerback Terrion Arnold led the organization to conclude that the benefits of signing the 2024 first-round draft pick outweighed the potential risk of adding a player facing multiple felony charges.

MacDonald told reporters Friday that the Seahawks have an agreement to sign Arnold, who was released by the Detroit Lions less than a week after he was arrested on charges of kidnapping and robbery in June, but the timetable for his arrival remained uncertain.

“We had a great visit with Terrion (during his workout),” Macdonald said. “Obviously, we knew him going through the (2024 predraft) process, and I referenced the folks that had been in his corner throughout the whole process as well, and we respect those people and we’re not going to ignore those folks that we really respect and have a strong opinion about it as well. So kind of when you put all those things together, we felt like it was a good opportunity for the team.”

Arnold has been charged with eight felony counts stemming from a February incident — four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery. He voluntarily surrendered to authorities June 24 in Tampa, Fla. The charges carry a potential sentence of up to life in prison.

Arnold remains free to play in the NFL while his criminal case moves through the court system. The 23-year-old’s next scheduled court appearance is a status hearing Oct. 5 in Tampa, and Macdonald said the Seahawks are willing to let the legal process play out.

“I think it was an opportunity to bring on a player that we felt strongly about during the (2024) draft process,” Macdonald said. “And we also understand that it’s a serious situation with a legal matter that there’s a process behind it, so we respect that.”

It remains unclear whether Arnold will face discipline from the NFL. The league could place him on the commissioner’s exempt list, which would prevent him from practicing or playing during that period. Macdonald said the Seahawks have not received any information from the league regarding his availability. He said the team will “let the league decide if and when his return to play (occurs).”

Arnold worked out for Seattle last Sunday, with portions of the workout later featured on the television program “Hard Knocks.” He also visited with the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints and New York Giants.

Macdonald was asked about the visit earlier this week, and he said the team received positive reports from those who were around him at Alabama. On Friday, he went even further, saying the feedback has been “overwhelmingly positive.” That included conversations with people within the Seahawks organization who know him, most notably backup quarterback Jalen Milroe, who played with Arnold at Alabama.

“We felt like we’ve done our due diligence, but it’s something in terms of the legal situation, we can’t make a comment on it right now,” Macdonald said. “We had a great discussion. It was a real discussion. … I have a responsibility coming from the organization about what we expect, and also what our vision would be for him and how it would operate. And he was great. I appreciated his honesty.”

Macdonald said Arnold’s references, combined with Seattle’s familiarity with him from the 2024 NFL Draft process, gave the team additional confidence in the decision.

“We think his skill set fits in our secondary,” Macdonald said. “He plays with a lot of energy, physicality. Some of the pattern-match stuff is more up his alley that he did at Alabama. Then, personality-wise, there’s an opportunity there, if he’s the best version of himself, that he can be a fit for us.”

Arnold was initially held without bond following his arrest. Less than a week later, Judge Christopher C. Sabella set his bail at $1 million and denied prosecutors’ request for Arnold to wear an ankle monitor. Arnold’s attorney, Harvey Steinberg, argued that requiring the monitor would effectively prevent his client from playing in the NFL.

Arnold, a 23-year-old cornerback, played in 24 games with the Lions, recording 91 tackles, 18 pass breakups, one interception, and a fumble recovery.

Now, the Seahawks, who featured a dominant defense throughout a 2025 season that resulted in a Super Bowl win, are betting that the player they evaluated as a first-round talent in 2024 is worth another opportunity — while acknowledging that the legal proceedings and potential NFL discipline remain unresolved.