Dante Fowler Jr. has done little to justify his role through three games, and the Seahawks are left with an uncomfortable question: what exactly has he brought to the defense?
Seattle signed Fowler as a free agent, but so far the move has not produced anything close to a meaningful impact. He’s still on the roster, yet after Week 3 it would be fair to wonder whether he’s been involved at all.
In 39 snaps, Fowler has not recorded a tackle. His only statistical trace has been three quarterback hurries, and he has not touched a quarterback.
That stands out even more because the edge group around him is carrying real weight. Uchenna Nwosu has played 39 snaps, Derick Hall has logged 108, and DeMarcus Lawrence has been on the field for 117.
Seattle’s pass-rush depth was a strength, but the margin for error looks thinner now. If any of those three miss time, Fowler has not shown he can step into those reps and hold the line.
The contrast with Boye Mafe is hard to ignore. The former Seahawk has played 140 snaps, piled up 14 quarterback pressures, added two run stuffs, forced a fumble, and been a far more active presence. Seattle’s defense could have used that kind of impact in Week 3, when it gave up 26 points, including a pick-six thrown by quarterback Sam Darnold, against a team starting a backup quarterback.
The run defense was especially troublesome, and the final drive made that problem plain. The Commanders were able to generate important gains on the ground, and Fowler did not provide the edge-setting presence Seattle needed. Mafe, the source suggests, likely would have been stronger in that role.
Mike Macdonald is not likely to publicly call out Fowler, and that fits how the Seahawks operate. But the usage tells the story anyway.
Fowler has not made a horrible mistake; he has simply done almost nothing. And for a team that may need dependable depth if injuries hit Nwosu, Hall, or Lawrence, that absence is becoming harder to overlook.
If Seattle is forced to search for outside help, names like Joey Bosa, Leonard Floyd, and Denico Autry are still available. Whether any of them would be the answer is another question. What’s clear is that Fowler has not answered it through three games.
In Other News...
Ernest Jones Sent A Clear Message After Seattles First Loss
The Seahawks first loss of the season did more than end a 12-game winning streak, it also sharpened the focus on how this team handles the next turn. Ernest Jones pointed to execution as the issue after the setback, a familiar refrain for a defense that has spent most of the season carrying the expectation that Seattle can answer anything with steadiness and composure.
For a team still very much in the mix, Jones comments served as a reminder that the response matters as much as the result. Seattle has built its run on resilience, and after a game that snapped the streak, the real test is whether that confidence shows up quickly or gives way to a longer slide. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Rookie Picture Just Got More Concerning After Week 3
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Elsewhere, the picture was less encouraging. Running back Jadarian Price had a rough outing, highlighted by a fumble that cut into his playing time, and the teams roster shuffling only adds to the uncertainty around the group. Seattle brought back defensive tackle Uso Seumalo and moved guard Anthony Bradford to injured reserve, while injuries at safety have further thinned the available options, leaving the rookie pipeline under a little more pressure than the Seahawks likely wanted this early. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Loss Reopened A Roster Debate Fans Wont Ignore
The Seahawks loss to Washington did more than add another mark in the standings. It pushed a few familiar roster questions back into the spotlight, especially the ones that have been hanging around the edges of the season for weeks. Special teams has been one area of concern, and the decision to move on from Cody White keeps looking more consequential when that unit struggles to find steady footing.
Up front, the right guard spot is still in flux, with Christian Haynes and Beau Stephens continuing to share the conversation rather than settle it. And while Rashid Shaheed brings a different kind of speed to the offense, the fit still invites debate when the line is not holding up and injuries keep shaping the weekly picture. The Seahawks can point to the moving parts as context, but the larger issue is whether the roster as built is giving them enough stability where they need it most. [Read more 🡒]