Remember Nick Vannett, the big tight end who started his NFL journey right here in the Emerald City? Well, he just secured the final spot on the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad, making it official after a brief return to Seattle earlier this year that didn’t quite stick. This isn’t some fresh-faced rookie, no sir. We’re talking about an *experienced* offensive contributor.
A Former Seahawk Finds a New Home
It still feels a little wild, seeing former Seahawks pop up on other rosters, especially after they’ve made a stop back here. Vannett, a 6-foot-6, 261-pound Ohio State standout, was a third-round pick by Seattle back in the 2016 NFL draft. He kicked off his pro career with us, racking up some serious mileage with 121 regular-season appearances and 54 starts under his belt across multiple teams. During that time, he’s grabbed 108 receptions for 1,012 yards and hauled in nine touchdowns. Not too shabby, right? After his initial run with the Seahawks, Vannett bounced around the league a bit, spending time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings, and Los Angeles Rams. It’s a long list, showing just how much teams value his veteran presence and what he brings to the field.
Why Baltimore Snapped Him Up After His Seattle Stint
What’s really interesting for us as Seahawks fans is that Vannett actually returned to Seattle during the 2026 offseason. How cool would that have been to see him back in green and blue? But, as the reports confirm, he unfortunately didn’t make the Seahawks’ initial 53-man roster this time around. It stings a bit, right? Seeing one of our own not make the cut. Now, he’s back in the AFC North, an area he knows from his Steelers days. Baltimore obviously sees some serious value in him. He’s exactly the kind of traditional in-line tight end who can contribute as a blocker and lend a hand on special teams, which is gold for depth. The Ravens are already stacked at the position with Mark Andrews, Durham Smythe, Matthew Hibner, and Josh Cuevas on their active roster, so there wasn’t a spot for him there. But keeping Vannett on the practice squad? That’s smart. It gives them veteran insurance in case injuries hit the position hard. His experience means he’s ready to be elevated without needing a ton of developmental time.
This move just makes sense for Baltimore as they round out their practice squad, looking for immediate depth and long-term options. Practice squads are always fluid, but Vannett’s experience and blocking skills make him a sensible final piece. For him, it’s a new chapter, and for us, it’s a reminder of a familiar face finding his way in the league. We’ll be keeping an eye out to see if he gets the call-up to the active roster for the Ravens.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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