You have to hand it to John Schneider. The Seattle Seahawks general manager has not made all that many moves in the 2025 offseason, but he has achieved maximum divisiveness. In fact, were Pro Football Focus (subscription required) to begin tracking “divisiveness-per-transaction” (AKA DPT) amongst general managers – and I really think they should – the Seahawks would be out in front.
It might be the only category in which they currently lead the league.
Of course, it began with the trading away of both Geno Smith and DK Metcalf (as predicted in these pages more than a month ago). It continued with his two biggest signings once free agency formally began. Schneider signed quarterback Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million contract and inked defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence for three years at $42 million.
DeMarcus Lawrence's affect on the Seattle Seahawks could be complex
Opinion has been mixed.
I’ll give Schneider this. He got out early with Darnold and wrapped up the most sought after QB on the market at a pretty good price. If Darnold plays well, that contract will be a bargain. A lot of us are concerned that unless Schneider provides a lot more help on the offensive line and at receiver, Darnold simply will not come close to his Pro Bowl level of 2024. That remains to be seen.
The Lawrence signing is trickier. That’s in part due to the former Cowboy star’s age and health. There was a time when DeMarcus Lawrence was among the best all-around defensive ends in the NFL. He could generate a pass rush. He could hold the corner on running plays. His play may have begun to taper off, but as recently as 2023, he was still a solid force on the edge.
Then came an injury that cost him a good chunk of 2024. He may have been healthy enough to return, but with Dallas’ playoff hopes sinking, he was not rushed back into action. Lawrence is pushing 33 and coming off a serious injury. Anyone in that situation would be an iffy proposition.
But let’s assume the best. Let’s assume Lawrence can at least regain his 2023 form. He will certainly help the Seahawks’ entire defense.
But there will still be a gray lining to this hopefully silver cloud. That is what the signing of DeMarcus Lawrence, coupled with the re-signing of Jarran Reed, suggests about the status of 2024 first-round draft pick Byron Murphy II.
Murphy was chosen with the 16th overall pick last year and big things were expected. At Texas, he was a physical marvel, combining speed, burst, and agility to make plays behind the line. Playing alongside Leonard Williams and Reed, it was hoped he could make an immediate impact.
That did not happen. Murphy was by no means a bust. Occasionally, he did flash that eye-opening talent. It simply didn’t happen enough. The veteran Reed outsnapped him on defense by more than 200.
That might not be such a cause for concern. Murphy is still a very young player with plenty of room to grow. But when Reed was re-signed, it shone a light on Murphy’s mediocre performance as a rookie. Now that Lawrence has been added, that light gets brighter.
Lawrence and Murphy are very different players but it is possible that the veteran’s presence will take even more snaps away from the second-year player. That is a potential problem.
If you were putting together a list of the best defensive linemen in the league right now who are 25 and younger, Murphy struggles to crack the top ten. There are some obvious choices, like Philly’s Jalen Carter and the Rams’ Kobie Turner. But Murphy was also outplayed last year by his Texas teammate T’Vondre Sweat, who was drafted more than 20 picks after him.
The Rams’ Brandon Fiske had 8.5 sacks last year to Murphy’s half-sack. Keeanu Benton, Gervon Dexter, Sr., Karl Brooks, and Zach Harrison – all 2023 draft picks, none of them first-rounders – had arguably better years than Murphy last year and also better rookie seasons in 2023.
Even a player like San Fran’s reserve tackle Evan Anderson, an undrafted free agent last year, approximated Murphy’s performance.
In hindsight, Anderson might have been a better fit in Mike Macdonald’s defense. Murphy is a far more explosive athlete, but the mammoth Anderson could serve as a legitimate nose tackle. Murphy rarely lined up inside the guard last year.
I am certainly not arguing that Evan Anderson is a better player than Byron Murphy II. And it is ludicrous to suggest that a player as young and gifted as Murphy can’t bounce back with a monster sophomore season. But that’s exactly what makes the addition of DeMarcus Lawrence, along with the return of Jarran Reed, puzzling. Where is Murphy going to play?
Perhaps Macdonald will try him over center. He has the athleticism to do it. But playing in the A gap or directly over center is a thankless job that usually requires the player to sacrifice production in order to tie up blockers. Is that really the best way to use Byron Murphy?
It wouldn’t have seemed so last summer. This summer, we have to begin wondering.