Seahawks coach on DeMarcus Lawrence: ‘He’ll be here’

DeMarcus Lawrence wasn’t in attendance for the Seattle Seahawks’ first OTA practice Tuesday afternoon, but head coach Mike Macdonald reiterated the five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher is expected to play a 13th NFL season this fall.

“He’s working through some things, but he’s in great spirits,” Macdonald said after the voluntary workout. “And he’ll be here at some point.”

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In late February, ESPN’s Brady Henderson reported that the 34-year-old Lawrence was considering retirement after winning the first Super Bowl of his decorated career. Lawrence’s wife, Sasha, also gave birth to their family’s sixth child shortly after Seattle’s Super Bowl triumph earlier that month.

But at the NFL’s league meetings in late March, Macdonald said Lawrence is expected to play for the Seahawks again this fall.

Lawrence still has two years left on his three-year contract with Seattle, which is worth up to $42 million. Lawrence had $5 million of his $8.15 million salary for 2026 became guaranteed on Feb. 13, according to Over The Cap.

“To my knowledge, he’s coming back,” Macdonald said in March. “He always has the right to change his mind, but as of right now, he’s coming back.”

Lawrence was one of three big-name edge rushers not present at Tuesday’s OTA practice, with Derick Hall and recent free agent addition Dante Fowler Jr. also not spotted during the roughly 2-hour, 20-minute session at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.

But nearly every other player on Seattle’s 90-man roster was in attendance, continuing a theme from last year’s voluntary workouts.

Lawrence, who spent his first 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, was one of the most impactful players on the Seahawks’ top-ranked scoring defense this past season.

During the regular season, he filled the stat sheet with 6.0 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and two fumble return touchdowns. He then added 2.0 sacks and three forced fumbles during Seattle’s postseason run.

With his physical 6-foot-3, 254-pound frame, Lawrence played a massive role in the Seahawks’ elite run defense, which allowed a league-low 3.7 yards per carry. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked No. 2 out of 119 edge rushers in run defense grading.

Lawrence also was an invaluable leader who Macdonald praised multiple times last offseason for his work ethic and intensity in practice.

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