2 Takes: Should the Seahawks extend Derick Hall?

Earlier this spring, the Seattle Seahawks signed Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a long-term contract extension that made him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history.

Within the past year, the Seahawks also inked cornerstone offensive tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas to multi-year extensions. And at some point in the near future, three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon seems like a virtual lock to receive a long-term deal from Seattle.

But another Seahawks player who could be in the mix for an extension this offseason is edge rusher Derick Hall, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract.

Should the Seahawks try to extend Hall ahead of the 2026 campaign? Mike Salk and former NFL quarterback Brock Huard debated that topic this past week on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.

The case for

Salk believes the Seahawks should attempt to extend Hall this offseason – both due to his skill set and the question marks in Seattle’s edge-rushing corps beyond 2026.

Hall had a second-year breakout in 2024 with 8.0 sacks, six tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. His production took a step back in 2025, with just 2.0 sacks and three tackles for loss in 14 regular-season games. But he had two sacks in February’s Super Bowl, including a strip-sack fumble that helped the Seahawks pull away.

Also, Hall ranked 21st out of 121 edge rushers in Pro Football Focus‘ pass rush win rate this past season, which suggests his impact was greater than his traditional stats would suggest. Furthermore, he ranked 31st among edge rushers in PFF run defense grading, using his physical 6-foot-3, 254-pound frame to provide the type of edge-setting presence that’s vital in head coach Mike Macdonald’s defense.

And looking ahead, Seattle’s other top three edge rushers each have age-related questions that make their long-term outlook uncertain.

DeMarcus Lawrence, who reportedly was considering retirement earlier this offseason, recently turned 34. Uchenna Nwosu, who missed significant time with injuries in 2023 and 2024, turns 30 in December. And recent free agent addition Dante Fowler Jr. turns 32 in August.

“If Derick Hall wins a lot and sets an edge and plays the style of game you want – and oh, by the way, all of your other edge guys are at or near retirement – I’d like to have something to bank on at that position moving forward,” Salk said.

“That doesn’t mean you’ve got to say that he is your ace, your number one guy,” he added. “… (But) I would love to see them sign him up and take care of one of the most important positions on the field for the next few years – given that everyone else they have on their roster at that spot is a gigantic question mark after this season.”

The case against

Huard, however, wants to see more production from Hall before the Seahawks consider extending him.

“I’ve got to see more,” Huard said. “I’ve gotta see more finishing. I’ve gotta see a double-digit sack season. … And obviously the Super Bowl was amazing, and he was at his best there down the stretch. And he’s going to, I think, have an opportunity to do more this year.”

Huard also pointed to the young, developmental edge rushing trio of Connor O’Toole, Jared Ivey and Jamie Sheriff that the Seahawks are excited about. And Huard believes edge rusher is typically an easier position than others to find talent – either through the draft or the veteran free agent market.

“There’s a pretty good supply typically in the veteran market, which you’re seeing now,” Huard said. “There’s gonna be good supply, if not great supply, in this upcoming (2027) draft. Like, it is the one position where you do have some supply.”

Listen to the full Brock and Salk conversation at this link or in the audio player near the top of this post. Tune into Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

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