How DeMarcus Lawrence is already making impact with Seahawks

As the Seattle Seahawks head into Year 2 under Mike Macdonald, they return nearly every key contributor from a defense that evolved into a top-five unit in the NFL over the second half of last season.

One of the few differences? The addition of four-time Pro Bowl defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence.

Lawrence, who inked a three-year, $40 million deal with the Seahawks in March, brings a long track record of production to the Pacific Northwest. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Lawrence racked up 61.5 sacks and 97 tackles for loss during his 11-year run with the Dallas Cowboys, while establishing himself as one of the best run-stopping defensive ends in the league.

But according to his new teammates, Lawrence’s impact goes far beyond the numbers.

That was evident even during recent non-padded OTA and minicamp practices.

“The type of leadership and mindset that he brings to the team is just phenomenal,” veteran Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams said. “He’s a dog. He speaks a lot. He plays hard. He’s going into year 12, and he’s out there practicing harder than some of the rookies.

“So we’re getting on the rookies like saying, OK, this is an example. This guy is going into year 12. He has nothing to prove, but he’s out there working his craft as hard as he can every day.”

Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde, who worked closely with Lawrence as the Cowboys’ defensive line coach from 2021 to 2023, said the 33-year-old veteran brings a “dog mentality.”

“He’s going come out here and he’s going to play first and second down the same way he plays third down,” Durde said. “He’s going to get after it. That’s one of the reasons why he’s here.”

Seahawks safety Julian Love is also plenty familiar with Lawrence, having spent four seasons facing the Cowboys twice a year while playing for the NFC East rival New York Giants from 2019-22.

Love said Lawrence brings another veteran voice to help establish the standard Seattle’s rising defense is looking to create.

“He’s been around and he knows how to win football games,” Seahawks safety Julian Love said. “So you could just tell that when things are going right for us, he’s vibing. When things aren’t up to standard, he kind of has a look to him like, this isn’t good enough. And so I think he brings a standard to the defensive room.

“And I think just personality-wise, I mean, people love to be around him. He’s been around the block, he works hard and he’s just a great addition.”