Seahawks To Waive G Christian Haynes

Seattle is waiving Haynes following its Quenton Nelson acquisition, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. Haynes’ rookie contract runs through the 2027 season. The Seahawks traded third- and fifth-round picks to the Colts for Nelson, a six-time All-Pro who is in a contract year. Nelson will slide into Seattle’s starting lineup, while Haynes’ contract will be available to be claimed by 3pm CT on Wednesday.

Drafted 81st overall out of UConn, Haynes could not lock down a starting job during his first two seasons. The Seahawks did not view Haynes as ready for such a role in 2024, and they drafted Grey Zabel in the 2025 first round. Zabel has slotted in at left guard — Nelson’s position throughout his NFL tenure — but as our Ely Allen pointed out in his 2025 PFR mock draft, the North Dakota State product played all over the line in college. Zabel would seem likelier to switch positions than Nelson.

Haynes still competed for a starting job in 2025, but holdover right guard Anthony Bradford won out. Bradford remained in place as Seattle’s RG to open this season, but Haynes saw extensive time after the 2023 fourth-round pick suffered an early-season injury. All of Haynes’ 210 offensive snaps this season have come at right guard. Pro Football Focus has viewed the third-year blocker’s work reasonably well, slotting him 44th among qualified guards this season.

The Seahawks could still circle back via a practice squad invite, but Haynes will need to clear waivers first. Young guards chosen early in drafts are certainly not locks to clear waivers, even though Haynes has mostly served as an NFL backup. Haynes is tied to a $1.32MM base salary this season; his $1.59MM 2027 figure is nonguaranteed.

Bradford, whom the Seahawks placed on IR due to hip and knee injuries, came back in Week 7. But he appears likely to lose his starting spot soon. Seattle still has Olu Oluwatimi and fifth-round rookie Beau Stephens as interior O-line depth following the Haynes exit.