Seahawks $32 Million 4-Time Pro Bowl Star Predicted to Get Benched

The Seattle Seahawks made several major moves this offseason, including revamping the team’s offense by trading away DK Metcalf and Geno Smith. Seattle’s offense is not the only unit that will look different this NFL season.

The Seahawks also made a few notable additions on defense, headlined by signing former Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence. Pro Football Sports Network’s Jacob Infante made one bold prediction for every team heading into training camp.

The analyst is not convinced that Lawrence will emerge as a starter despite the four-time Pro Bowler signing a three-year, $32.5 million contract with Seattle this offseason. Infante predicts that Derick Hall will start over Lawrence this season.

“The Seattle Seahawks had the third-highest pressure rate in the NFL last season,” Infante wrote in a July 23, 2025, story titled, “1 Bold Prediction for Every NFL Team Entering 2025 Training Camp.” “DeMarcus Lawrence has been hailed as a big addition to that pass rush, but I could see Derick Hall beating him out for a starting spot.

“Just 24 years old, Hall had eight sacks last year and could keep Lawrence fresher in a rotational role at this stage of his career.”

Seahawks DE DeMarcus Lawrence Played Just 4 Games for the Cowboys in 2024

The Seahawks depth on the defensive line is a good problem to have. Lawrence played just four games for the Cowboys in 2024 as the pass rusher was sidelined with a Lisfranc injury. Back in March, Lawrence reflected on his decision to leave Dallas for Seattle during an interview with Hawk Blogger.

“Change of scenery is always good, but Dallas is my home,” Lawrence explained, per NFL.com. “Made my home there, my family lives there.

“I’m forever gonna be there, but I know for sure I’m not going to win a Super Bowl there. So, yeah … we here.”

Seahawks Rumors: Seattle Could Add Veteran Pass Rusher During Training Camp

It is not all good news for the Seahawks pass rush. Uchenna Nwosu was placed on the PUP list, putting his status to start the season in doubt. Seattle Sports’ Brock Huard believes the front office could still make a late addition at the position.

“I think with that Uchenna injury, just kind of keep an eye on the edge,” the analyst noted during a July 21, episode of “Brock and Salk.” “I think that could be a place where a veteran could still be signed or maybe a veteran could be traded for.

“I think Boye and Derick are good players, but probably still need some support in the lineup around them. I’d keep an eye on that edge. I don’t think they’re completely done filling that aspect of the roster out.”

Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald on DeMarcus Lawrence: ‘This Guy’s Really, Really Smart’

Count Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald among those who is a major fan of the addition of Lawrence. It will be interesting to see how the longtime defensive coordinator rotates Lawrence and the other veterans on the roster.

“I think he complements our room really well,” Macdonald noted in April, per Pro Football Talk. “He can play the way we want to play technique-wise, but also, this guy’s really, really smart on what sets tell you, what blocks am I going to get, being able to create more negative plays on early downs to get us in some of those advantageous defensive situations that are really going to help us.

“Then obviously the pass-rush element, too, complementing ‘Chenna [Nwosu] and Boye [Mafe] and all those guys. Moving him up and down the line like we do — we like to move guys around — so he fits right in.”