Seahawks’ D-Law says chances he would retire were ‘very slim’

DeMarcus Lawrence is not leaving.

Any concerns that the Seattle Seahawks’ veteran outside linebacker would hang up his cleats and retire after winning his first career Super Bowl title back in February were put to rest when he burst through the doors at team headquarters to hit the practice field Thursday.

And then he closed the lid shut with his words.

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“Being able to reach the top and understanding that my body still has more to give, I still have more to give,” Lawrence said Thursday in a Seahawks.com article by John Boyle. “And also, I had the most fun I’ve ever had playing football last year. So just taking all of that into consideration, knowing what I’d be leaving behind, the chances (of retirement) were very slim.”

The 34-year-old Lawrence is a five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher entering his 13th NFL season, the first 11 of which were spent with the Dallas Cowboys.

In late February, ESPN Seahawks reporter Brady Henderson said on Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy that one of the team’s “first questions they’ve got to figure out is whether or not DeMarcus Lawrence is coming back.”

While there was no news that followed to indicate that Lawrence would retire, there also wasn’t 100% clarity that he was coming back. The closest thing to confirmation came in late March from head coach Mike Macdonald.

“To my knowledge, he’s coming back,” Macdonald told reporters at the NFL’s annual league meeting. “He always has the right to change his mind, but as of right now, he’s coming back.”

There was also a good sign about Lawrence’s future provided by Dante Fowler Jr., who credited a conversation with Lawrence, his former Cowboys teammate, for helping him to decide to sign with the Seahawks in free agency earlier this month.

Lawrence was not present as Seattle’s voluntary OTA practice Tuesday that was open to the media, with Macdonald saying that he was “working through some things” and would “be here at some point.” Two days later, the Seahawks shared a video of Lawrence hitting the field.

Lawrence provided some context on his absence following Thursday’s practice, explaining that it had to do with his parental duties. His wife gave birth to their sixth child the day after Seattle’s Super Bowl victory.

“Shout out to the fans that are concerned about me, just let them know D-Law is doing well,” he said, according to Boyle’s article. “I’m currently working back in Texas right now. I’ve got the newborn and a 1-year-old, so I can’t leave mom with all those responsibilities. She knows I’ll be back here for the season, and the coaching staff knows my game plan. We’re still working, I’m just not able to be here on a day-to-day basis.”

The 6-foot-3, 254-pound Lawrence made 6.0 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and two fumble return touchdowns during the 2025 regular season for Seattle. He added 2.0 sacks and three forced fumbles in the Seahawks’ three playoff wins.

Lawrence has two years remaining on a three-year contract with Seattle that is worth up to $42 million.

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