Going from missing most of the 2024 season with a Lisfranc injury to being part of a dominant Super Bowl LX-winning defense, DeMarcus Lawrence completed a career turnaround this past season. He is under contract for two more years, but the Seahawks edge rusher does not look to have committed to playing in 2026.
The longtime Cowboys defensive end starter has not informed the Seahawks if he is returning, ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson said during an appearance on Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy. Those in Lawrence’s camp are also not certain of the player’s plans, per Henderson. Lawrence is tied to a three-year, $32.5MM contract.
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Seattle took a chance on the 12-year veteran, who reunited with DC Aden Durde via his free agency commitment, and was rewarded. Lawrence finished with six sacks and two fumble-sixes, scoring both his touchdowns in the same half of a game against the Cardinals, and he then registered sacks in both the Seahawks’ NFC playoff wins.
The regular-season work earned Lawrence a Pro Bowl invite, representing a resurgence after his 2024 season ended four games in (the Pro Bowl nod brought an additional $500K). Lawrence worked as the Seahawks’ OLB starter opposite Uchenna Nwosu, who had also battled injury problems in recent years. The team has both under contract for 2026. Lawrence, 34 in April, is due $8.15MM in base salary; of that total, $5MM is guaranteed. The Seahawks would be left with a few million in dead money if Lawrence passed on that 2026 salary and retired on top.
Drafted shortly after the Cowboys released DeMarcus Ware, Lawrence was later franchise-tagged twice after becoming Dallas’ lead pass rusher. He transitioned to a sidekick role once the Cowboys obtained Micah Parsons, but the veteran still earned two Pro Bowl nods — the second of which as an alternate — during his Parsons partnership. Lawrence has 67.5 career sacks and has been solid against the run during his career as well.
Losing Lawrence would give the Seahawks a bit of a need on the edge. The team dangled Boye Mafe in trades during his contract year, benching the previously productive pass rusher with Nwosu and Lawrence staying healthy. Mafe is two weeks away from free agency, but the Seahawks still have Derick Hall under contract for one more season. Seattle pursued Von Miller even after signing Lawrence last year. It would stand to reason, especially with Mafe unsigned, the team would seek OLB help if Lawrence walks away.
Good riddance! Jk..Nah tank put in work for the Boyz. Good luck to him in whatever he chooses
Y’all just salty he finally one a ship and of course it wasn’t in Dallas! He knew he’d leave and win one where it mattered! How bout dem Seahawks!
He is arguably the most or 2nd most important player (Ernest) in this defense and it would be so hard to replace his production
I wouldn’t fault him for retiring on top but I don’t think there’s any player out there that can replace both his pass and run defense