The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks just wrapped up their final roster cuts, and one of the names that surprised some fans in the Emerald City was cornerback Noah Igbinoghene. After signing a one-year deal with our Hawks back in March, Igbinoghene found himself looking for a new home this week, and it didn’t take long: he officially inked a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday. This move signals a clear direction from Coach Macdonald and the rest of the front office as we barrel towards the regular season.
Igbinoghene’s Wild Ride Lands Him (Briefly) in the Emerald City
Noah Igbinoghene’s journey through the NFL has been a whirlwind, making his brief stop in Seattle all the more interesting. Drafted as a first-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2020, he spent three seasons down there, showing flashes of that top-tier talent. In 2023, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, where he played for a year under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. When Quinn took over as Washington’s head coach in 2024, Igbinoghene was one of the many free agents he brought in. He had a productive 2024 season with the Commanders, even earning a re-up for a one-year deal in 2025. But after that 2025 season, the Commanders, under their new coordinator Daronte Jones, decided to go in a different direction, and Igbinoghene hit free agency again. That’s when our beloved Seahawks, fresh off hoisting the Lombardi, picked him up in March. It felt like a smart, low-risk move for a former first-rounder looking to prove himself on a championship squad.
What Seattle’s Cut Means, And Cleveland’s Quick Move
So, what does it mean when a former first-round talent, a guy who was a key part of Washington’s defensive backfield for two seasons, gets cut by the defending Super Bowl champions before the season even starts? It means Mike Macdonald and the crew had a plan, and Igbinoghene wasn’t in it. The final cuts are brutal, but they’re necessary to build a roster ready to defend that title. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns didn’t waste a second, immediately snapping him up on Tuesday. They clearly see value in a player who’s still only 26 years old and has significant starting experience in the league, including those 12 starts for Washington. It’s a quick turnaround for Igbinoghene, and it shows just how fast things can change in this league, especially when you’re on a team like ours with high expectations.
The Commanders’ Cornerback Carousel
It’s also worth a quick glance at the Commanders’ moves, just to put Igbinoghene’s situation into perspective. They’ve been a bit of a carousel at corner this offseason, signing Amik Robertson early in free agency. Then came Ahkello Witherspoon, who abruptly retired before training camp even really got going. They brought in Rasul Douglas before camp, and after Witherspoon’s retirement, they signed Fabian Moreau. Just on Tuesday, the same day Igbinoghene signed with Cleveland, Washington added Isaac Yiadom and Terell Smith to their practice squad. It’s a lot of churn, and it highlights how a team’s defensive backfield can shift dramatically. For our Hawks, a decisive cut like this, even for a player like Igbinoghene, shows confidence in the guys who *did* make the roster as we gear up for a run at back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Our season kicks off soon, and every decision, even these tough ones, is geared toward bringing another trophy home to the Emerald City.
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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