The Super Bowl 60 champion Seahawks are officially kicking off their repeat push on September 9 against the New England Patriots, but first, the real work begins: cutting the roster to 53 players by Sunday, August 30 at 3 p.m. PT. Our defending champs are already set as 3.5-point favorites over the Patriots at FanDuel Sportsbook for that opening game, a familiar opponent after we beat them for the big one. But before we even think about Week 1, the front office is locked in on some brutal roster decisions.
Roster Crunch Time is Here!
After the preseason wrapped up, it’s crunch time for players fighting for a spot on the initial 53-man roster. We just saw some grit in Kansas City, where our guys battled the Chiefs to a 9-9 tie in their final preseason outing. Linebackers Patrick O’Connell #52 and Aidan Hubbard #93 were out there making plays, defending against the Chiefs’ offense. Now, with the roster cut deadline looming, the team has to make some incredibly tough choices. This isn’t just about who makes the initial cut, though. Once the waiver wire dust settles, the real game begins for building out that all-important practice squad, which gives us developmental players and crucial emergency depth throughout the long season.
The Waiver Wire: A Champion’s Consequence
Here’s where it gets interesting, and maybe a little frustrating, for us 12s. The waiver claiming period wraps up Monday, August 31 at 10 a.m. PT. After that, the NFL sends out the official Personnel Notice, and then teams can start building their practice squads. But our Seahawks are entering this process with the 32nd and absolute final priority on the waiver wire. Yeah, you read that right. All 31 other teams get a crack at claiming a player before we do. Why? Because we won Super Bowl 60! The waiver order is based on the previous regular season’s standings. It’s the price of being the best, but it means our “own collection of players” becomes incredibly important. We’re going to be relying heavily on our own young talent who clear waivers, along with veterans not subject to waivers who can sign directly with our practice squad. Remember, a player claimed off waivers goes straight to a claiming team’s 53-man roster; they have to clear waivers first to join a practice squad. That practice squad will consist of a standard 16 players, with a potential 17th spot for an International Player Pathway Program qualifier.
So, as we gear up for that Super Bowl rematch on September 9 against the Patriots, keep your eyes peeled. The initial 53-man roster is just the first step. Our team is working behind the scenes right now, making moves that will shape our Super Bowl repeat push. It’s all hands on deck as we wait to see who’s staying in the Emerald City and who will be part of our deep, championship-caliber squad. Go Hawks!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Field Gulls.
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