Five edge rushers Seahawks should sign in 2021 free agency
By Lee Vowell
Benson Mayowa
The Seahawks need to bring back one of their own free agent edge rushers, Benson Mayowa. Mayowa is unlikely to ever make a Pro Bowl but he has become one of the more consistent defensive ends in the NFL and is great in a rotation. Plus, he is cost-effective.
In 2020, Mayowa signed a $3 million deal to play with Seattle and because of the reduced salary cap and a lot of edge rushers on the market this offseason, Mayowa isn’t likely to get much more, if any, than the $3 million he made last year. But in any other year, maybe he should.
A year after having 7 sacks for the Raiders in 2019, Mayowa had 6 for Seattle in 2020. That was third on the Seahawks. Mayowa also was fourth in tackles-for-loss for Seattle with 7, fifth in quarterback hits with 9 and led the team with 2 forced fumbles. All numbers worthy of bringing Mayowa back in 2021.
Like Aldon Smith, signing Mayowa to a one-year deal would be a smart move for the Seahawks. Mayowa is a productive player whose relatively low contract would allow other players to be signed and make the team better overall.