The Seattle Seahawks signed veteran defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence in free agency to help boost the pass rush. Lawrence will play a key role on an edge group that also includes Boye Mafe and Derick Hall. Head coach Mike Macdonald recently discussed how he fits into the defense's plans this coming season while speaking with reporters at the annual league ownership meetings.
"Really excited about him [Lawrence]," Macdonald said. "He compliments our room really well. He's a heck of a six-technique. He's a disruptor. He plays the way we want to play technique wise. He's really, really smart. He creates more negative plays on early downs to get us in more advantageous situations [third-and-long]. And then obviously the pass rush element. He fits right in."
Mike Macdonald’s defense finished ninth in points allowed in 2024. The Seahawks return most of their key players on that side of the ball, with one exception being DeMarcus Lawrence replacing Dre’Mont Jones. Here was Macdonald on Seattle’s defense last year and how Lawrence fits: pic.twitter.com/uINqW4FYx4
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) April 1, 2025
Lawrence was signed to a deal worth "up to" $42 million with $18 million in guarantees. The former Dallas Cowboy is guaranteed $6 million this coming season with a cap number slightly under $7.7 million. Lawrence missed the majority of 2024 with an injury, recording three sacks in four regular-season appearances.
Lawrence should play a rotational role alongside Hall, Mafe, and a returning Uchenna Nwosu. Managing Lawrence's snap count should keep him healthy and available. He'll have a positive impact on Macdonald's defense this coming campaign.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: NFL free agency: How DeMarcus Lawrence fits Seahawks defense
