Analysis: Seahawks Wise to Commit to Derick Hall, Lock Up Young EDGE Through 2029
Back in March, the Seattle Seahawks allowed former second round pick Boye Mafe to walk in free agency, watching the pass rusher bolt to join the Cincinnati Bengals a little over a month after helping the team win Super Bowl LX.
As the saying goes, NFL teams can’t keep everybody with salary cap limitations, and that’s especially the case for defending champions. Tough decisions have to be made with the understanding quality players will flee the nest for greener pastures.
By choosing not to bring back Mafe, the Seahawks suddenly faced significant questions with their EDGE group beyond 2026 with only one known commodity - veteran Demarcus Lawrence, who had been the subject of consistent retirement rumors throughout the spring - under contract beyond this upcoming season. The organization faced a real possibility that all four of their primary pass rushers from last year’s Super Bowl run could be either in a different uniform or hanging up their cleats by 2027.
But general manager John Schneider ensured Seattle won’t have to worry about such a disastrous situation coming to fruition on Tuesday, inking rising outside linebacker Derick Hall to a three-year deal reportedly worth $42 million and potentially carrying a maximum value of $46.5 million, tying him to the franchise through the 2029 season.
