Former Northwestern guard Evan Beerntsen has another NFL opportunity after signing with the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad following his seventh-round selection by the Ravens.
Former Northwestern offensive lineman Evan Beerntsen has another opportunity to continue his NFL career.
The Seattle Seahawks signed Beerntsen to their practice squad Monday, giving the rookie guard a new opportunity after he was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Seattle had an open practice squad spot after promoting safety A.J. Finley to its 53-man roster, while the team also lost guard Bryce Cabeldue on waivers to the Las Vegas Raiders.
For Beerntsen, the move provides another chance to compete for an NFL roster spot after an impressive final season at Northwestern.
Beerntsen transferred to Northwestern from South Dakota State for the 2025 season after spending several seasons with the Jackrabbits. At South Dakota State, he was a three-year starter and helped the program win two FCS national championships. He earned First Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors in 2024 before making the jump to the Big Ten.
His lone season in Evanston proved to be an important one.
Beerntsen started all 13 games at right guard for the Wildcats in 2025 and earned All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition. He also finished the season without allowing a sack or quarterback hit, while his 80.2 PFF grade ranked 11th nationally among guards and fourth among Big Ten guards. His 79.4 run-blocking grade ranked seventh nationally among guards.
Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Northwestern offensive lineman Evan Beernsten (OLO3) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesThose numbers helped Beerntsen earn the attention of NFL scouts and eventually hear his name called in April.
The Ravens selected him with the 253rd overall pick in the seventh round, giving Beerntsen the opportunity to begin his professional career in Baltimore. However, he did not make the Ravens’ initial 53-man roster, opening the door for another opportunity in Seattle.
Now, Beerntsen joins a Seahawks organization coming off a championship season.
Seattle defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX to win its second Super Bowl in franchise history. The Seahawks then opened the 2026 season by defeating those same Patriots 13-10 in a Super Bowl rematch, giving Seattle a 1-0 start to its title defense.
That makes the opportunity even more significant for Beerntsen.
He will now get to work alongside an offensive line and coaching staff that just helped Seattle win the Super Bowl, while competing for a potential opportunity on the active roster. Practice squad players can be elevated when teams need additional depth, meaning Beerntsen will have a chance to prove himself every week.
The Seahawks also have a clear need for additional guard depth after losing Cabeldue to the Raiders. Seattle’s decision to bring in Beerntsen gives the team another experienced interior offensive lineman who has already played at a high level against Big Ten competition.
For Northwestern, Beerntsen’s move represents another step in the professional career of a player who spent just one season in Evanston but made a significant impact.
After going from South Dakota State to Northwestern, earning All-Big Ten recognition and hearing his name called in the NFL Draft, Beerntsen now has another opportunity to establish himself at the next level.
The path to an NFL roster is rarely straightforward, especially for a seventh-round pick. But Beerntsen has already shown he can adapt to a new program and compete at a high level.
Now, he gets another chance to do it in Seattle.
And for a player who has already overcome several steps to reach the NFL, joining the defending Super Bowl champions at 25 years old could be the beginning of another important chapter.
