DeMarcus Lawrence Is Quietly Powering the Seahawks’ Defense - And Maybe His Hall of Fame Case
Micah Parsons’ blockbuster trade to the Packers made all the headlines this fall - and understandably so. But while the NFL world was busy reacting to Dallas’ seismic roster shakeup, another major departure from the Cowboys flew under the radar: DeMarcus Lawrence heading to Seattle.
Now, fast forward to Week 14, and it’s clear that the Seahawks may have pulled off one of the most underrated moves of the offseason.
Lawrence didn’t arrive in Seattle with much fanfare. He wasn’t on the marquee list of free agent signings.
But make no mistake - his impact has been enormous. In fact, you could argue he’s having one of the most meaningful seasons of his 12-year career.
Not because of eye-popping stats, but because of the tone he’s setting for one of the NFL’s most quietly dominant defenses.
A New Chapter, Same Relentless Presence
Let’s get the numbers out of the way first: through 14 weeks, Lawrence has logged 13 solo tackles, 18 assists, and five sacks. Those aren’t career-highs.
They’re not even close. But they tell only a fraction of the story.
This season isn’t about the stat sheet. It’s about the way Lawrence is anchoring Seattle’s front seven, bringing veteran leadership, relentless energy, and a physical edge that’s helped transform the Seahawks into a legitimate defensive force. He’s not just filling a role - he’s elevating the entire unit.
That’s what makes his resurgence so compelling. At 31 years old and in his first season with a new team, Lawrence is still playing with the same motor and toughness that defined his prime years in Dallas.
The Hall of Fame Conversation: Is It Time?
It’s a fair question to ask: is DeMarcus Lawrence building a Hall of Fame résumé?
Right now, he’s on the fringe. His career totals - 481 tackles, 66.5 sacks, 142 quarterback hits, 22 forced fumbles, and four defensive touchdowns - are solid, but not automatic gold-jacket numbers. He’s a four-time Pro Bowler and a one-time All-Pro, which puts him in the conversation, but not quite in the front row.
Still, there’s a path. And it runs through Seattle.
If Lawrence can maintain this level of impact over the next two seasons - he’s on a three-year deal with the Seahawks - his case could get a serious boost. It’s not just about padding stats at this point.
It’s about continuing to be a difference-maker on a playoff-caliber defense. And right now, that’s exactly what he’s doing.
A Leader Among Leaders
What makes Lawrence’s impact even more impressive is the context. After more than a decade in Dallas, he’s stepped into a new locker room and immediately become a tone-setter. That’s not easy to do, especially on a defense with its own established voices.
But Lawrence has always been that guy - the one who brings grit, leadership, and accountability. From his early days in Dallas to now in Seattle, he’s been the kind of player who makes teammates better just by being on the field.
And let’s be honest: the Cowboys could probably use that kind of presence right now. With Parsons gone and the defense trying to recalibrate, it’s not hard to imagine how valuable Lawrence’s voice and versatility would be in that locker room.
The Road Ahead
Seattle’s defense has made it clear: they’re ready to go toe-to-toe with anyone. And as the Seahawks push toward the postseason, Lawrence’s role will only grow more important. His ability to disrupt plays, command attention, and lead by example could be the X-factor Seattle leans on when the games matter most.
If this version of Lawrence sticks around through the end of his contract, he may just force the Hall of Fame conversation to get a little louder.
For now, though, the focus is on the stretch run - and Lawrence is doing exactly what the Seahawks hoped he would when they signed him: helping them win games, set a tone, and maybe, just maybe, build something lasting.