When DeMarcus Lawrence parted ways with the Dallas Cowboys last offseason, it felt like the end of an era. A four-time Pro Bowler and longtime fixture on the Cowboys’ defensive front, Lawrence had only suited up for four games in 2024.
Age and cost likely played a role in Dallas moving on. But for the Seattle Seahawks, Lawrence wasn’t a fading star - he was a missing piece.
Fast-forward to now, and Lawrence has not only rejuvenated his career in the Pacific Northwest - he’s become a cornerstone of one of the most dangerous pass-rushing units in the league. In what might be his best season in four years, the veteran edge rusher has helped anchor a Seattle defense that’s punched its ticket to the Super Bowl.
Seattle inked Lawrence to a three-year deal, though the final two years carry no guaranteed money. But based on how things have played out, it’s hard to imagine the Seahawks letting him walk after just one season. He’s been that impactful - not just on the field, but in the locker room.
And make no mistake: this move wasn’t just about finding a new team. Lawrence made it clear before the season that he wanted out of Dallas because he wanted a legitimate shot at a championship.
In his eyes, that wasn’t going to happen with the Cowboys. Turns out, he read the situation perfectly.
Lawrence Called His Shot - and Believed in Darnold
In a recently revealed text exchange with former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, Lawrence gave a glimpse into just how confident he was in the Seahawks' potential - and in quarterback Sam Darnold.
“Sam gone get s*** done. He ain’t going to turn the ball over and this defense going to take the league by storm. Watch bruh,” Lawrence wrote.
Now, Darnold did end up leading the league in turnovers, so that prediction didn’t quite hit the mark. But the broader point?
Lawrence wasn’t wrong. Darnold made enough big-time plays to keep Seattle’s offense humming, and this defense - led by Lawrence, Leonard Williams, and a young, aggressive secondary - did take the league by storm.
It’s that balance, that completeness on both sides of the ball, that’s sending Seattle to the Super Bowl.
Veteran Leadership, Youthful Energy
Seattle’s roster skews young, but general manager John Schneider made some savvy veteran additions to round out the team - and Lawrence was at the top of that list. Another key move?
Bringing in wide receiver Cooper Kupp. While Kupp’s best statistical seasons may be behind him, his leadership and presence in the locker room proved invaluable.
He didn’t need to be the WR1 - he just needed to be the calming, experienced voice in a room full of rising stars.
As for Dez Bryant, Lawrence did try to lure his former teammate out of retirement. But Bryant, now well past his playing days, gracefully declined while offering his support. Still, the exchange highlights just how locked in Lawrence was from the start - he believed in Seattle, believed in Darnold, and believed this team had the makings of something special.
A Super Bowl Shot, Earned
Now, on February 8, Lawrence and the Seahawks will take on the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. For Lawrence and fellow veteran Leonard Williams, it’s the kind of opportunity they’ve chased their whole careers - a real chance at a championship, not just a playoff cameo.
Seattle’s front office deserves credit for blending youth and experience with precision. But the players - especially leaders like Lawrence - have brought it all together on the field.
This isn’t just a redemption arc for a player many thought was past his prime. It’s a reminder that when the right player finds the right team at the right time, special things can happen.
And for DeMarcus Lawrence, the timing couldn’t be better.