Seahawks May Consider Trading Olu Oluwatimi with Federico Maranges in the Mix

Speculation is growing that the Seattle Seahawks might trade center Olu Oluwatimi during the upcoming offseason in 2026, especially before the final roster adjustments set for Sunday, August 31. A significant factor in this potential move could be Federico Maranges, the team's third center and a participant in the International Player Pathway (IPP) program.

The IPP initiative allows NFL teams to include an additional player from outside the U.S. and Canada on their practice squad, which can be elevated to the active roster up to three times in a season. The Seahawks, under the guidance of Mike Macdonald, refer to this practice squad group as "The 70," which includes 17 players supplementing the 53-man roster. Notably, the 17th position is reserved for the IPP player.

Currently, Maranges occupies this unique roster spot for the Seahawks, and no other eligible players are available for this designation. This situation makes it highly likely that Maranges will remain on the team this season. The IPP regulations also allow teams to promote their IPP player to the active roster without impacting the game-day roster count, effectively giving Seattle a flexible option at the center position.

Starting center Jalen Sundell has a history of injuries, making Oluwatimi's primary strength as a backup his reliability. However, Maranges could serve as a strategic asset for the Seahawks, providing a temporary solution should Sundell face any setbacks. While Maranges cannot transition to the 53-man roster while holding the IPP designation, he could offer a crucial buffer for the team to secure another backup center if necessary.