Seahawks receive brutal grade for signing former Cowboys edge rusher

Pro Football Network was not a fan of Seattle signing veteran DeMarcus Lawrence

Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) practices before the 2024 NFC wild card game against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images / Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

The 2025 NFL free agency period kicked off less than a week ago and the Seattle Seahawks have already made massive changes to their roster. Geno Smith, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are out, while Sam Darnold and Marquez-Valdes Scantling are in. While the team is undoubtedly taking a big risk, Seattle now has a clearer direction for 2025 and beyond.

The Seahawks made another big move on Wednesday, signing former Cowboys edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence to a three-year deal worth up to $42 million. The 32-year-old has made four Pro Bowls since being drafted in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft.

With 61.5 career sacks, Lawrence has a proven track record of success. However, he hasn't been as effective in recent seasons and some are questioning whether or not the Seahawks overpaid for the veteran edge rusher.

Pro Football Network writer Sterling Xie was not impressed with the Lawrence signing, giving the move a "D" in his 2025 NFL free agency grades.

"The Seahawks are returning most of their edge rusher depth, meaning Lawrence should be a rotational player behind Uchenna Nwosu and Boye Mafe," wrote Xie. "Of course, this contract suggests the Seahawks see him as more than that"

Lawrence isn't totally washed at this point in his career. He even made the Pro Bowl in 2023 with the Cowboys. Despite his recent Pro Bowl nod, Pro Football Network felt the team paid too much for a rotational edge rusher.

“DeMarcus Lawrence may have been a Pro Bowler in 2022 and 2023, but his most impactful years came last decade," Xie concluded. "Unless it turns out this contract is heavily incentive-driven, the Seahawks are overpaying by quite a bit.”

Lawrence has just 13 sacks over the last four seasons, and while sacks aren't everything, his pressure rate has dropped as well. The Seahawks have the cap space to spend. If Lawrence helps the team get to the playoffs next season, nobody will be talking about his contract numbers.

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