Neither Uchenna Nwosu nor DeMarcus Lawrence were healthy for much of the 2024 season. Nwosu missed a sizable chunk of the 2023 campaign as well. But the Seahawks saw both their top edge rushers hold up last season, doing plenty to pave a path to the franchise’s second Super Bowl title.
Missing 22 games between the 2023 and ’24 seasons, Nwosu accepted a pay cut in 2025. The deal reduced Nwosu’s 2025 compensation by $6.99MM and dropped his ’25 cap number to $12.45MM. The shift to a two-year, $19.51MM deal, however, left a $20MM cap hit for 2026. Considering Nwosu’s past unavailability, the veteran edge defender’s contract loomed as one to monitor this offseason.
But John Schneider does not anticipate the Seahawks adjusting the deal, per ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson. Nwosu returning to full strength after back-to-back six-game seasons made an impression for the Hawks, and Henderson notes Schneider appears comfortable with the player’s increased cap hit. This is the final year of Nwosu’s deal.
The Seahawks initially brought in Nwosu on a two-year, $19.1MM contract in 2022, bringing him over from the Chargers after a contract year spent as Joey Bosa‘s top sidekick. Nwosu impressed in his first Seattle season, posting career-high numbers in sacks (9.5) and QB hits (26). That led Seattle — in Pete Carroll‘s final offseason at the helm — to reward Nwosu with a three-year, $45MM extension. A pectoral strain ended Nwosu’s 2023 season midway through, and he missed time in 2024 because of knee and thigh trouble.
Last season, Nwosu played 16 regular-season games and tallied seven sacks. That tied for the team lead. Nwosu then scored a Super Bowl touchdown, returning a Drake Maye INT 45 yards for an easy TD. Nwosu, 29, did not record a sack in the playoffs. With Boye Mafe defecting to the Bengals — on a three-year, $60MM deal — amplifies Nwosu’s importance for 2026, though considering Lawrence has pondered retirement, it would not surprise to see the defending champions seek EDGE help early in the draft. Lawrence will turn 34 this year, and one season remains on Derick Hall‘s second-round rookie contract.
Interior rushers Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy tied Nwosu for the team lead with seven sacks. The Seahawks were not too active in adding talent in free agency. They lost several key players, however, with Kenneth Walker, Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen departing. Nwosu no longer looks like a release candidate, as the Seahawks will hope their 2022 offseason addition can replicate his healthy 2025. Nwosu doing so would position him for a solid short- or medium-term contract — be it from Seattle or elsewhere — in 2027. For now, the Seahawks have $32.95MM in cap space — eighth-most in the league.
I trust John he has done a great job as our GM. He will make the right choice. Riq was an easy call. I think he might have been a candidate to stay at the right place before the mind numbing no excuse for his escaped in NFC title game.
There was no excuse for his little not sure what it was moment. He had a big hand in the loss of a couple games. Both were against teams in our Division. He got lazy lost or not sure what against SF in the first game. Lost his man on a 3rd and long for the first down. Then he was trailing his man like before for the go ahead TD.
He did the same against the Rams. Too many missed assignments. It felt that after the way he played the 2nd half he might stick around. His unsportsmanlike penalty seemed to seal his fate the wrong way.
Mafe I think they figured he was too expensive to keep. They figured in the draft or FA they could replace him. The one thing I am confused about is what are they doing at RG? Is McDonald happy with Cadbury Egg? I thought he would get a guard at the deadline last year. Then at the start of FA. Will they draft one sign one for cheap after the draft or stand pat.
All the TV Pundits think we will draft a CB S DT or an edge rusher in the draft. None think a guard. Zabel has been a great pick up. Doubt there will be a player of that quality at 32 this draft. I almost think they might be best to trade their pick. Get one or more extra picks and give the other team the option of the 5th year.
Just like the last 15 or more drafts. Not sure how long John has been here but watching him draft is awesome. I am getting past The Who in the blank did we just draft to wow look who the new star is. I think he has gotten better after Pete leaving. They did really good the first few years under Pete but after the players he recruited in College all were gone not so much. Some of the picks seemed like all Pete and not so much John. Now it is all John and love the job he has done. Draft as always will be fun.