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The Seahawks are monitoring a potential retirement decision from star pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence.
The gift and the curse of winning the Super Bowl is that the Seattle Seahawks are tasked with retaining much of the team’s roster in an effort to repeat. It is not an easy task and much has been made about key free agents like Rashid Shaheed, Ken Walker and Riq Woolen who the Seahawks will be fighting to re-sign.
There are also veterans who appear to be considering walking away from football. CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani labeled the Seahawks as one of five teams who could be “hit the hardest” by NFL free agency.
The analyst also pointed to the uncertain future of star pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence as retirement rumors are already swirling this offseason.
“Another potential departure you should be aware of is veteran defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence,” Dajani wrote in a March 2, 2026, story titled, “NFL free agency: Five teams that could be hit the hardest, including Super Bowl champion Seahawks.” “He is not a free agent, but ESPN mentioned last week there’s uncertainty over whether he will play next year, or retire.
“He recorded eight sacks and forced six fumbles in 2025, including playoffs, and was an important member of this voracious defensive front.”
Here’s what you need to know about the latest Seahawks rumors.
Seahawks Rumors: Seattle Warned About DeMarcus Lawrence’s Potential Retirement
Lawrence still technically has an additional two seasons remaining on a three-year, $32.5 million contract with Seattle. So, why is there chatter that Lawrence could walk away from the Seahawks?
ESPN’s Brady Henderson reported that Lawrence’s potential retirement is something that the Seahawks are monitoring in addition to the team’s free agents.
“The Seahawks entered the offseason with a healthy cap situation,” Henderson detailed in a February 24, article titled, “Seahawks’ Schneider: ‘Business as usual’ with team for sale.” “OverTheCap.com projects them to have roughly $59 million in effective cap space, sixth most in the NFL.
“However, in addition to their six key free agents as well as the uncertainty over whether 33-year-old defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence will retire, they have two star players in line for massive raises.”
Seahawks Pass Rusher DeMarcus Lawrence Could ‘Ride Off Into the Sunset’ & Retire After Super Bowl: Insider
The good news for the Seahawks is that the team has some financial flexibility thanks to more than $60 million in projected cap space, the sixth most in the NFL, per Spotrac. Henderson noted that Lawrence could “ride off into the sunset” and retire following the team’s Super Bowl win.
“I think one of the first questions they’ve got to figure out is whether or not DeMarcus Lawrence is coming back,” Henderson explained during a February 23, interview on Seattle Sports’ “Bump and Stacy.” “… That’s a very real question. And the Seahawks don’t know. I think people in DeMarcus Lawrence’s camp, at least when I checked a few days ago, still we’re not sure.
“This is a guy who’s 33 years old. His wife just gave birth to (their sixth child). And he just won a Super Bowl for the first time in his career. So if ever there was a situation where a guy could decide to ride off into the sunset, it could be this one.”
Jonathan Adams is a veteran sports contributor covering the NFL, NBA and golf for Heavy.com. His work has been prominently featured on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. More about Jonathan Adams
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