Seahawks trade for former quarterback turned cornerback Avery Smith

The Seattle Seahawks acquired undrafted rookie cornerback Avery Smith from the Los Angeles Chargers for a 2027 sixth-round pick during the NFL’s roster cutdown period, an unusual trade that surprised Smith before the regular season. Smith, a former Toledo quarterback who switched to cornerback after arriving at college, impressed during Chargers training camp and preseason while playing outside and in the slot. Seattle views the 22-year-old as a potential contributor in its secondary, particularly as it seeks a reliable third cornerback and works through roster uncertainty and injuries. Seahawks general manager John Schneider praised Smith as smart, tough and instinctive, while Smith said he was excited to reunite with former Toledo teammates in Seattle. The Chargers, meanwhile, turned a player they could not keep on their 53-man roster into a future draft asset rather than risk losing him on waivers.