Exclusive: Demarcus Lawrence Says 2026 ‘will Be My Last Year’ After Cowboys, Seahawks Career That Included Super Bowl

RENTON, Wash. — DeMarcus Lawrence debated carefully whether to return for the 2026 NFL season.

In his 12th year, the Seattle Seahawks edge rusher had stayed healthy enough to play every game, forced six fumbles between the regular season and playoffs, and won a Super Bowl.

“I'm doing everything that a player can wish for,” Lawrence thought to himself. 

But he also has six children including a newborn and his wife, Sasha, living in Dallas where Lawrence played his first 11 NFL seasons.

He missed the birth of his now 12-year-old son when Sasha went into labor while Lawrence was at rookie minicamp, and the flights couldn’t get him back to Boise in time.

Sasha Lawrence delivered their latest daughter less than 24 hours after the Seahawks won the Super Bowl. The Lawrence family had made arrangements for Sasha’s doctor to join the trip to Santa Clara, California, to ensure she could both attend and not risk going into labor without the medical team who had supported her pregnancy.

As this season neared, Lawrence spoke to players who had faced similar decisions in the path. He considered his wish to be with his family without uprooting them, while also recognizing his talent and health positioned the pass rusher and run stopper to thrive contributing to the reigning Super Bowl champions.

Was it time to hang it up? Not yet. But soon.

“This will be my last year,” Lawrence told Yahoo Sports during a sit-down interview from training camp. “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.”

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Since the Cowboys selected Lawrence out of Boise State in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Lawrence has collected 67.5 sacks, 503 tackles, 146 quarterback hits, 24 forced fumbles and 11 fumble recoveries in the regular season.

He’s added another five sacks and forced fumbles in strong playoff performances. He now has photo documentation of his family of eight with the Lombardi Trophy.

After 11 years with the Cowboys, Lawrence and the Seahawks agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $32.5 million during the March 2025 season. All of his guaranteed salary comes in 2025 and 2026, per overthecap.com.

Injuries hampered two of Lawrence’s last four seasons in Dallas, but at 33 years old last year he played all 20 of the Seahawks’ games.

“I had my ups and downs throughout the years, but I feel like the training staff did a great job,” Lawrence said of his availability last year. “My coach off the field helped me out a lot with stretching and maintaining my strength, stability and my ligaments and stuff like that. So just making sure I have the right people around me and also the culture, but also staying up on the diet and the nutrition.”

In Seattle, he’s eaten more fish and made sure “I’m up on my Omega-3s.” The newfound spring of health kept the urge to play alive.

“It was a tough process,” Lawrence said. “Just trying to enjoy the offseason, enjoy the Super Bowl victory, but also battle with, ‘Are you done for real? Is this it? Or do you want more? Do you want to go out on top?’ Just battling with all those questions. And I think the one thing that I battle with the hardest is, well, if I do go [back to Seattle], my family's not going with me. 

“So going through all those dynamics and how can I set it up to see the family as often as I can and the whole nine. I think that was the toughest part. … This is something that we dreamed of, but when we get in and it's like, ‘Oh snap, I didn't know it lasted this long, the sacrifice that I have to put up in order to do this job that I love.”

NFL players often wrestle toward the end of their careers with their post-playing career identities. What will occupy the bulk of their time from August to December (or for the Seahawks, now February) after they hang it up? Most careers don’t phase employees out by their mid-30s. Entering his 13th pro campaign, Lawrence has already quadrupled what’s considered the average lifespan of an NFL player’s career.

“One thing that stuck out to me of those conversations was, ‘The regular world doesn't think like you do,’” Lawrence said of his conversations with former players who had retired. “And that kind of scared me a little. It's like, OK, so how do I move amongst a group of people that think differently than me or can't see things from my lens? That's kind of intimidating. Not that I'm afraid or anything. It's just more of like, ‘How can I be DeMarcus Lawrence in an environment that doesn't accept who DeMarcus Lawrence really is?’ And I feel like when things are not figured out on that end, it kind of gives you that intimidation. … 

“So just battling that and then understanding who I am, what my interests are, the things that I like to do off the field and not trying to rush anything. I'm still playing good football. Even though it's Year 13, I don't think people care about how long you play no more as long as you’re playing good. That's what matters the most. So I'm able to still play good football. I ain't think it was time to hang it up yet. 

“I’m back again.”

The player who once collected 25 sacks in two seasons and yet is perhaps even more respected across the league for his tough-nosed run stoppage is back to help the Seahawks chase a repeat championship and repeat of their 2025 top-ranked scoring defense.

Seattle lost key contributors in free agency including cornerback Coby Bryant (Chicago Bears), cornerback Riq Woolen (Philadelphia Eagles), edge rusher Boye Mafe (Cincinnati Bengals) and running back Kenneth Walker III (Kansas City Chiefs). All started at least four games last season.

Expect Seattle’s defense to evolve in a league that requires that to stay competitive, but don’t expect Lawrence’s responsibilities to change much in his last year.

“Set the edge, win your one-on-ones and attack the ball,” Lawrence said. “Still go hunt.”