The Seahawks’ “Dark Side Defense” has plenty of veteran firepower, and DeMarcus Lawrence sits right near the center of it. The edge rusher was a major part of why Seattle kept living in opposing backfields last season, and he’s still bringing real juice as he heads into what he says will be his final NFL season in 2026.
Lawrence didn’t arrive in Seattle just to collect a paycheck or coast into the finish line. From the start, he brought a clear edge, along with the physical and mental toughness to fit into a winning environment. He wanted to lead, and the Seahawks gave him the kind of setting where that mattered.
That leadership role has only grown this year. Lawrence has settled in more comfortably with head coach Mike Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde’s system, and he’s using that comfort to help younger edge rushers develop. He’s also working with second-year slot nickelback Nick Emmanwori, helping him become a better pass rusher through blitzes.
Production-wise, Lawrence still looks like a problem. At 34, he turned in his most efficient season since 2022 and what was likely one of his best all-around years. In 16 regular-season games, he posted 53 total tackles, 24 solo tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, 20 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, with two of those returns going for touchdowns.
What still makes Lawrence so dangerous is the way he fires off the snap with explosive violence. His blend of speed, strength and athleticism keeps him among the league’s most reliable edge rushers. He can wreck plays in the backfield and also make his presence felt against the run by forcing runners to change course or by finishing the stop himself.
There are limits, though, and age has sharpened them. Lawrence no longer has the quick closing speed to erase fast, elusive ball carriers, which means he has to win with smart, precise pursuit angles when he’s chasing plays outside the line of scrimmage. Even then, he still finds ways to make a lot of those tackles.
The big question is whether the emotional weight of a final season changes anything once the grind starts. Players who know they’re at the end don’t always stay locked in the same way, but Lawrence has never been the type to put himself ahead of the group. He’s expected to attack one more season with a hungry mindset and chase both another strong year and another championship, though how he feels once the season gets rolling is something worth watching.
In Other News...
Trevon Diggs Gives Seahawks A Needed Answer With One Big Catch
The Seahawks added some much-needed cornerback depth during training camp by signing Trevon Diggs, a move that immediately makes sense on a roster that had been looking for help at the position after Riq Woolen left in free agency. Diggs also arrives with some built-in familiarity, since he has prior connections with several Seahawks players and coaches, which should help him settle in quickly as camp competition picks up.
Even with that background, the real question is how much he can give Seattle right away. Diggs has spent the past stretch trying to reestablish himself, and the Seahawks are clearly betting that a fresh start and those existing relationships can help him become more than just a camp addition. For a defense trying to shore up its cornerback room, the signing is a worthwhile swing, but the bigger answer still depends on how the rest of his comeback unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Just Took On A Controversial Gamble With Terrion Arnold
The Seahawks made a head-turning addition at cornerback, reaching an agreement with free agent Terrion Arnold in a move that surfaced during a recent episode of HBOs Hard Knocks. Seattle is treating it as a developmental swing for the long term, with no immediate on-field expectations, but the signing still lands as one of the more unusual roster bets of the offseason for a team trying to balance future upside with present-day depth.
Arnolds situation is what gives the move its uneasy edge, and why the details around his status matter so much to Seattle. His legal case is still unfolding, which means the Seahawks are taking on a player whose availability remains uncertain while the organization waits for the next step in a process that could keep this gamble in limbo for some time. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Still Searching For Answers At Fullback After Brutal Injury
The Seahawks are still piecing together their fullback room after Robbie Ouzts went down with a season-ending injury, and the search has already led them to Jackson Acker. Seattle is working out Acker, who was recently released by the Bills, as the team keeps sorting through options at a position that has suddenly become a moving target. The group also includes Brock Lampe, Brady Russell and a few tight ends who can help bridge the gap while the staff looks for the right fit.
Lampe has already gotten some game action in the preseason, but the competition is far from settled and the Seahawks do not appear ready to hand the job to anyone just yet. With Ouzts unavailable, every candidate is being judged on how well he can handle the blocking, versatility and physical edge Seattle wants from the spot, which makes this one of those late-summer battles that could linger a while longer. [Read more 🡒]