SEATTLE — Just a few hours after completing a tryout with the Seattle Seahawks, a former player who developed within the team’s own system created a wave of attention with an emotional message on social media.
In the context of Seattle searching for additional depth at the tight end position ahead of training camp, that statement quickly became a widely discussed topic among fans.
The tryout took place after the decision to part ways with Harrison Bryant due to injury, forcing the coaching staff to urgently evaluate options to reinforce the position.
Three experienced tight ends were invited, including a former third-round selection of Seattle itself, Josiah Deguara, and Nick Muse, with the goal of creating more competition before the team enters the most important preparation phase of the season.
Only about 12 hours after leaving the practice field, the former Ohio State product posted an old photo in a Seahawks uniform accompanied by a nostalgic message. The content of the post quickly spread widely as it recalled beautiful memories at Lumen Field and expressed a desire for one more opportunity to wear the familiar blue and green colors.
The player is Nick Vannett, who was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round (pick 94) of the 2016 NFL Draft. In the message sent to the fans, he wrote: “After nearly 7 years apart, I still carry a special feeling for Seattle in my heart. Lumen Field will always be the place where I began my NFL journey. If I get one more chance to put on the blue and green and give everything for the 12s, it would mean the most to me right now. I’m ready to do whatever it takes if I get the opportunity to come back.”
The post immediately received strong support from the Seahawks fan community. Thousands of interactions and numerous comments calling for the team to give the former tight end another chance showed that he still holds a special place in the hearts of the supporters, despite the long time away from Seattle.
In the early stage of his career, Vannett played nearly four seasons for the Seahawks from 2016 to 2019. He appeared in 42 games, made 16 starts, recorded 48 receptions, accumulated 463 yards, and scored 4 touchdowns. Although he never became a star at the tight end position, he was always highly regarded for his consistency and professional work ethic.
In September 2019, Seattle decided to trade him to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Since then, Vannett’s career has been tied to the role of a “journeyman,” as he successively wore the jerseys of several different teams before most recently playing for the Los Angeles Rams.
At the age of 33, he is no longer expected to be a dynamic offensive weapon. Instead, his greatest value lies in his reliable blocking ability, years of NFL experience, and versatility in special teams situations. Those qualities are still considered suitable for Seattle’s current needs.
The Seahawks’ tight end room currently features A.J. Barner and Elijah Arroyo as the two young options carrying high expectations, while Eric Saubert brings experience to the group. Adding a player who understands the organization’s culture and has previously played at Lumen Field could help increase depth and provide more options for the coaching staff throughout the season.
As of now, the Seattle Seahawks have not announced a final decision on whether to sign Vannett, Josiah Deguara, or Nick Muse. However, the emotional message sent just hours after the tryout has elevated the story beyond the scope of a routine personnel evaluation. For many fans, this is not only a career opportunity for a veteran player, but also the possibility of a return to the place where his NFL journey began after nearly seven years apart.