After spending the first 11 years of what’s been a standout pro career in Dallas, four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Demarcus Lawrence is joining the Seattle Seahawks.
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Lawrence’s contract is for three years and up to $42 million with $18 million guaranteed, per mulitple reports. The deal carries a base salary of $32.49 million, according The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov.
What are the Seahawks getting in the 32-year-old Lawrence? FOX analyst and former NFL quarterback Brock Huard weighed in during his Blue 88 segment Thursday on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.
“What you’re gonna really get is a guy that knows how to set the edge – I mean, really set an edge in that run stopping defense,” Huard said.
Lawrence played in just four games last season due to a Lisfranc (foot) injury, but he’s remained productive when healthy in his early 30s. He’s the ninth-ranked edge rusher in Pro Football Focus grading since the start of the 2023 season, including No. 3 against the run.
“The PFF guys, the next level guys, love his ability in the run game,” Huard said.
Vintage Tank 💢#WPMOYChallenge | @TankLawrence pic.twitter.com/PW410tFShc
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 31, 2023
Huard pointed to Lawrence’s ability as a leader. After the news broke of Lawrence signing with the Seahawks, a video of star Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb discovering surfaced. Lamb was visibility disappointed in the news.
“(Lawrence is) one of these guys that’s just beloved in that locker room,” Huard said.
Huard thinks that leadership can be instrumental for Seattle’s younger edge rushers.
“You want somebody also to come in and take Boye Mafe and Derick Hall to the next level, because I’m sure that’s part of conversation,” Huard said. “… Hey D-Hall and Boye Mafe, do you want your next big contract (five years for $105 million) like this guy got back in 2018? Well, this is how you play the game. This how you elevate it. This is how you take over games just as he’s done for a lot of years down there in Dallas.”
DeMarcus Lawrence brings Jones down 😤 @TankLawrence x @dallascowboys
via @NFL pic.twitter.com/w7jEjtb35X
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 27, 2022
Huard also believes the connection Lawrence has with a current Seahawks coach played a prominent role in the signing.
“I think Aden Durde plays a role in this,” Huard said. “We talked about relationships and connective tissue … the fact that he was, Aden, the (defensive) coordinator for the Seahawks, with (Lawrence) down there in Dallas as the defensive line coach – there’s a lot of familiarity.”
Durde coached Lawrence from three seasons (2021-23) with the Cowboys. Lawrence made two of his Pro Bowl appearances (2022 and 2023) during his time working with Durde.
Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. Listen to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
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