Seattle Seahawks Cole Brevard

Seahawks Sign DT Cole Brevard to Practice Squad Over Gary Smith III

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The Seattle Seahawks adjusted their roster on Tuesday, signing rookie defensive tackle Cole Brevard to the team’s practice squad. The move comes as the franchise continues to shuffle depth pieces.

To make room for the 346-pound defensive lineman, the Seahawks released Gary Smith III from the practice squad. Smith, a 25-year-old who went undrafted out of UCLA, had been with the organization since September 29 but had not yet appeared in a regular-season NFL game.

Brevard, also 25, enters the Seattle system following a winding path through the league. He initially signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Texas in May. After being released by Kansas City prior to the season, he was re-signed to their practice squad before ultimately being let go again. He remains in search of his first regular-season NFL appearance.

The defensive tackle’s collegiate career spanned five seasons and three different programs. After starting at Penn State in 2021, Brevard spent three seasons at Purdue before transferring to Texas for his final campaign. Across 51 collegiate games, he recorded nine tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two passes defended, and two fumble recoveries.

For the Seahawks, the addition of a player with Brevard’s size—listed at 346 pounds—reflects a standard practice squad strategy: prioritizing depth at the line of scrimmage. While Brevard provides a massive frame for scout team repetitions, the team’s focus remains on maintaining the momentum from their recent win over the Arizona Cardinals, which brought their record to 5-4.

The team’s personnel decisions are occurring against the backdrop of a division race. Analysts continue to evaluate the team’s trajectory, with Charbonnet providing the offense with something “different.” As the Seahawks look toward their upcoming slate, the focus remains on whether these minor roster adjustments provide the necessary insurance.

The Seahawks are scheduled to face the Raiders in their next outing, a game that will serve as a test for both the team’s defensive front and their overall standing in the division. For now, Brevard will begin his tenure on the practice squad, working to translate his collegiate production into a role on the active roster.

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