The Seahawks felt good about the play of their defensive front last season, but that doesn't mean there wasn't still room for improvement.
And with that in mind, the Seahawks added to an already talented front this week by signing veteran defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, a four-time Pro-Bowler who has spent his entire 11-year career in Dallas.
As Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald noted at the NFL Scouting Combine, he feels good about a pass-rush group that includes outside linebackers Boye Mafe, Derick Hall and Uchenna Nwosu, as well as disruptive interior players like Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed and Byron Murphy II. But liking those players wasn't going to keep the Seahawks from looking to get even better up front.
"Adding guys that affect the quarterback, you never turn down that opportunity," Macdonald said. "… We love our guys, but if there's somebody that's sitting there staring you in the face, why would you not add to that crew?"
Lawrence, the latest addition to that crew, brings considerable experience and production to Seattle's defense, and he'll also be reunited in Seattle with defensive coordinator Aden Durde, who was Dallas' defensive line coach from 2021-2023, with Lawrence making the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2023.
The 6-foot-3, 254-pound Lawrence has 61.5 career sacks, including a career-best 14.5 in 2017 when he earned second-team All-Pro and Pro-Bowl honors, but he's more than just a pass-rush specialist. Also known for his run-stopping ability, Lawrence has a 91.0 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus over the past two seasons, the third highest mark among edge defenders in the league over that span.
Lawrence saw his 2024 season limited to just four games due to a foot injury, but he started all 17 games each of the previous two seasons, earning Pro-Bowl honors both years while totaling 115 tackles, 10 sacks, 19 tackles for loss 21 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and nine passes defensed.
The Seahawks signed 4x Pro-Bowl defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence to a multi-year deal on March 13, 2025. In 11 seasons in Dallas, Lawrence had 61.5 sacks and 62 tackles for loss. Check out the best photos of Lawrence throughout his football career.
Boise State defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (8) closes in for a sack on San Diego State quarterback Quinn Kaehler during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Boise State defensive lineman Demarcus Lawrence (8) grabs Hawaii quarterback Sean Schroeder (19) and tackles Schroeder for a sack in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Boise State defensive lineman Demarcus Lawrence runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) takes down Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) during the first half of an NFL wildcard playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) celebrates after sacking Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) to cause a fumble during the second half of an NFL wildcard playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won 24-20. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) sacks Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) runs the ball against Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. The play was later ruled an incomplete pass. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017 file photo, Dallas Cowboys' Sean Lee, left, Maliek Collins (96) and DeMarcus Lawrence (90) celebrate a sack by Lawrence during an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Arlington, Texas. Lawrence had two sacks as the Cowboys held a season-opening opponent to the fewest points in 22 years in a 19-3 win over the New York Giants. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman, File)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) sacks New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) fumbles as he is hit by Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. The Cowboys recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Foles (9) is hit by Dallas Cowboys' DeMarcus Lawrence (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) pressures Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford (9) as offensive tackle Andre Smith (71) tries to block during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Dallas Cowboys' Demarcus Lawrence (90) grabs Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson (center) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (right) during an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018, file photo, Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Arlington, Texas. DeMarcus Lawrence may not reach his career high in sacks during the encore to the Dallas defensive end's breakthrough season in the NFL. By any measure from his coaches and teammates, Lawrence's follow-up to 14 1/2 sacks has been a success. A big one. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
Washington Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy (12) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) during the first half of an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. The Dallas Cowboys won 31-23. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) celebrates as Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston shouts in the direction of an official after throwing an incomplete pass in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, left, loses the ball as he is hit by Dallas Cowboys' Demarcus Lawrence during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec., 30, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) warms up before an NFC wild-card NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019.(AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) closes on Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga (75) as the Cowboys play the Green Bay Packers in an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) strips the ball away from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. The Cowboys recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) lines up against the Minnesota Vikings in an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence plays against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) tries to get around the block of Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Cody Ford during the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) fumbles the ball as he's sacked by Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) in action during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) in action during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) in action against Washington Football Team offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas (78) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) celebrates sack during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) in coverage during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the New York Giants 21-6. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) reacts after a defensive play against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) reacts after a play during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) breaks tackles on the way to the end zone for a touchdown after intercepting a pass throw by Washington Football Team's Taylor Heinicke (4) in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) celebrates after a play during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) warms up before an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Arlington. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Dallas Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse (27) helps defend as defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) returns a Los Angeles Rams' Matthew Stafford fumble for a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) runs after the ball during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, October 9, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles' Miles Sanders runs with the ball as Dallas Cowboys' DeMarcus Lawrence tries to stop him during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) rushes against the Chicago Bears during an NFL Football game in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys' DeMarcus Lawrence sacks Chicago Bears' Justin Fields on a two-point coversion attempt during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, left, sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Thursday, November 24, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) cuts back against the Houston Texans during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) is seen during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 27-23. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) works against Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor (75) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Dallas Cowboys' DeMarcus Lawrence stops Philadelphia Eagles' Gardner Minshew during the second half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) battles Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) as he rushes the passer during an NFL wild-card football game, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) grabs the jersey of Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (7) as he watches the passer during an NFL wild-card football game, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence warms up on the field before a preseason NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) celebrates after a sack alongside teammates during an NFL football game against the New York Jets on Sunday, September 17, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) is seen during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 38-3. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Tyron Johnson (80) celebrates after a sack in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) rushes in against New York Giants offensive tackle Tyre Phillips (79) during the second half of an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won 49-17. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) is seen during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 45-10. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) makes a pass attempt as he is pressured by Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) during an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Dallas, Texas (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) sprints to the ball carrier during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Dallas, Texas (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
AFC head coach Peyton Manning greets NFC defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, of the Dallas Cowboys, after the flag football event at the NFL Pro Bowl football game, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Orlando. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) walks on the field during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024 in Cleveland. The Cowboys won 33-17. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) has the ball stripped away by Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) in the second half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) comes off the line as linebacker Marist Liufau (35) drops back during the first half of a football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence comes off the line during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
