The Seahawks had 45 sacks last season, which tied for seventh-best in the NFL. But strangely, Seattle’s pass rush doesn’t get the same respect as some of the teams it was more productive than, such as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Whatever the reason is for that, the Seahawks no doubt want more consistent production from the players up front that they have invested in. Boye Mafe and Derick Hall are prime examples on the outside. On the inside, it’s last year’s first-round pick, Byron Murphy II.
The Texas product had a fine rookie season, primarily playing nose tackle in nine starts and 14 games played with 36 tackles, with two coming for a loss. However, he had just a half sack. He’s heading into year two knowing that that must change.
Byron Murphy’s next step could elevate the entire Seattle Seahawks front seven
According to the Seattle Times, Murphy dropped some weight to help him get off the ball quicker as he targets more sacks in 2025 and beyond.
“I’ve really just been focusing on me,’’ Murphy said. “Just working on my craft this offseason, trying to be consistent and also just taking my game to another level, whether that’s on the field, in the classroom. Just trying to have a bigger role this year within the D-line and on the team.’’
Jarran Reed said he sees Defensive Player of the Year potential in Murphy, but to reach that moniker in today’s NFL from the interior defensive line, it takes sack production, which has never been the sort of thing nose tackles have to worry about; instead, they typically focus on plugging rushing gaps and eating up double-teams.
That will change in 2025, though. Murphy will play more of a three-technique role, which, especially with a bit less weight on his 6-foot frame, will afford him more pass-rushing opportunities. He posted a 64.5 PFF pass-rushing grade in his rookie season, so given better opportunities, he ought to thrive.
Still, Murphy had just eight sacks in three seasons of play at Texas, with five coming in his final season. At the same time, his sack production has never been eye-catching. If he’s looking to find more sacks, then leaning on another shorter interior lineman known for his overwhelming power and relentless motor, one that the Seahawks knew quite well, Aaron Donald.
The future Hall of Famer for Los Angeles is the standard bearer for a 6-foot-tall interior defensive lineman with short arms, brute strength, and an unstoppable will, becoming more than what the metrics of their body build would suggest. Donald, of course, was also a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, tying J.J. Watt and Lawrence Taylor for most all time.
Whether or not that’s where Murphy is drawing his inspiration for a breakout season in 2025 wasn’t said outright, but that’s the blueprint to follow.