The Seattle Seahawks entered the 2025 offseason with a clear plan: bolster the offense while leaning on a defense that had already proven its worth in 2024. General manager John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald, confident in their defensive core, opted to keep the unit largely intact, adding just one key piece to the puzzle—a veteran edge rusher with a knack for stopping the run. That piece was DeMarcus Lawrence, signed from the Dallas Cowboys to a three-year, $42 million deal. At 33 years old, the price tag raised eyebrows, but the structure of the contract and Lawrence’s performance so far have silenced the skeptics.
On paper, $42 million for a 33-year-old edge rusher sounds steep, but the deal’s details reveal Seattle’s savvy approach. Lawrence’s 2025 cap hit is a modest $7 million, with no guaranteed money beyond this season. If the fit doesn’t work, the Seahawks can release him next offseason, saving $7,066,666 with minimal dead money. It’s a low-risk, high-reward move for a team that didn’t need a superstar but rather a reliable cog in an already humming machine.
The narrative around Lawrence’s signing was never about him being the “missing piece.” Seattle’s defense was already stacked with young talent like edge rushers Boye Mafe and Derick Hall, complemented by the expected return of veteran Uchenna Nwosu from injury. Lawrence wasn’t brought in to chase double-digit sacks or single-handedly transform the defense. Instead, his role was clear: fortify an elite run defense and contribute to a rotational pass rush that keeps quarterbacks uncomfortable.
So far, Lawrence has delivered exactly what was promised. Currently ranked fifth in the NFL in run-stop win rate, he’s proving why Seattle targeted him. Over his 12-year career, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) has consistently praised his run defense, awarding him at least very good grades in seven seasons and elite marks in two others. His versatility fits like a glove in Mike Macdonald’s scheme, which thrives on disciplined, multi-faceted defenders who can set the edge and disrupt both the run and pass games.
Lawrence’s Week 4 thigh injury raised concerns, but it’s not the kind of long-term issue that derails a season. Unlike the knee or muscle tears that plagued him in 2024—when he was limited to just four games—this injury is expected to sideline him for only a game or two. Seattle’s depth at edge rusher ensures they can weather his brief absence, but his return will be a welcome boost to a defense that’s already suffocating opposing rushing attacks.
Meanwhile, Lawrence’s former team, the Dallas Cowboys, is reeling from his departure. After trading away All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, Dallas’s defense has crumbled, particularly against the run. Through four games, the Cowboys rank a dismal 20th in the league, hemorrhaging 123.3 rushing yards per game. The absence of Lawrence’s stout run defense is glaring, as Dallas struggles to fill the gap left by his veteran presence and technical prowess.
Lawrence’s signing wasn’t about flashy stats or headline-grabbing plays. It was about adding a seasoned, versatile veteran to a defense already brimming with potential. His ability to anchor the edge against the run while contributing to a rotational pass rush has made him the perfect “insurance policy” for a Seahawks team with playoff aspirations. As Dallas continues to leak yards on the ground, Seattle’s calculated gamble is paying dividends—and at $7 million for 2025, it’s looking like one of the shrewdest moves of the offseason.