Boye Mafe
Getty
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 20: Boye Mafe #53 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on before the game against the Houston Texans at Lumen Field on October 20, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Seattle Seahawks‘ rough opening day of free agency continues, as their top free agents keep signing elsewhere. This time, it’s edge rusher Boye Mafe, who just signed a three-year, $60 million deal with the Bengals, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
A former second-round pick out of Minnesota, Mafe spent his entire four-year rookie contract in Seattle. He totaled 164 tackles, 20 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and 14 passes defensed.
The Seattle Seahawks Have Expensive Contract Extensions Upcoming
Boye Mafe and Matthew Stafford
GettySEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 25: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the ball as Boye Mafe #53 of the Seattle Seahawks looks to make a tackle during the second quarter in the NFC Championship game at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Part of the reason that the Seahawks are forced to watch all their free agents sign big contracts elsewhere is the fact that Seattle is about to pay a lot of expensive contract extensions. Their two best players — WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba and CB Devon Witherspoon — are about to break records at their respective positions. The Seahawks are being smart about where they allocate their money.
The Seattle Seahawks Will Look to Replenish Their Defense in the Draft
Seahawks HC Mike McDaniel and GM John Schneider built Seattle into a Super Bowl winner by finding incredible talent and value in every round of the draft. They aren’t going to stop now.