DeMarcus Lawrence Was Nearly 'Done' After Seahawks' Super Bowl Win
The edge rusher considered retiring the moment he finally won a title, but now says 2026 will be his last season, however it ends.
Seattle Seahawks edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence said he seriously considered retiring the moment he won his first Super Bowl. "I kinda had my mind made up that if I won, I was done," Lawrence said. "I kinda had a bittersweet feeling in my heart."
What changed his mind?
Lawrence credited his wife with the final call: "When my wife said it was OK." The timing added weight to the decision, since the couple welcomed their sixth child the day after Seattle's 29-13 win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
How does he view the title defense?
Lawrence, 34, framed the coming season as a new kind of challenge after 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys before signing with Seattle in March 2026. "We're the ones with the dot on our backs," he said. "Just want to see how that feels, see the different obstacles that we can overcome. This is where the hard part begins, staying on top."
What did he bring to Seattle's defense last season?
Lawrence posted 6.0 sacks during the regular season in his first year with the Seahawks, helping anchor the pass rush on a team that went on to win the franchise's Super Bowl.
Has he made a final decision?
Lawrence has now confirmed directly that 2026 will be his last season regardless of outcome. "It was a tough process. But through the grace of God, I'm able to play another year and soak it all up one more good time before I hang it up," he said.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: DeMarcus Lawrence was nearly 'done' after Seahawks' title win
- ESPN: Seahawks' DeMarcus Lawrence confirms 2026 season his last
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