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# Analysis: 5 Ways Seahawks Can Bolster Pass Rush as John Schneider Explores Options
- URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/seattle-seahawks-five-ways-bolster-pass-rush-john-schneider-explores-options/
- Published: 2026-03-04T18:16:02.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T06:15:49.000Z
- Author: Corbin Smith
- Tags: Analysis, Seahawks, Maxx Crosby, Jonathan Greenard, Tyree Wilson, Trey Hendrickson, Khalil Mack, NFL Free Agency

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/usatsi_27400792-format-original-1.jpg)

Approaching the start of free agency on March 11, the Seattle Seahawks have work to do as they begin their title defense coming off a Super Bowl LX victory with plenty of decisions to make regarding their roster both short and long-term.

When the legal tampering period opens next Monday, Seattle will have 10 unrestricted free agents set to hit the market, including former second-round pick Boye Mafe. Coming off a down season with only two sacks and four quarterback hits, it remains to been what the market will look like for the 27-year-old pass rusher and if the Seahawks will make a push to re-sign him. In addition, there’s been plenty of speculation about the future of veteran Demarcus Lawrence with rumors of him mulling retirement after hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

Even if Lawrence returns for a 13th season with two years left on his contract, no position may be in flux more for the Seahawks than the EDGE position. Beyond Mafe being a free agent, Uchenna Nwosu and Derrick Hall only have one year remaining on their respective deals, meaning that the team has just one proven defender in the group under contract beyond 2027.

Considering the situation, Seahawks general manager John Schneider has been active inquiring about the availability of several players on the trade market as well as potential free agent targets to upgrade the position. Among those options, Raiders superstar Maxx Crosby stands out as the biggest name, though Las Vegas remains steadfast in their demands for multiple first-round picks and a young player in return, which has left some wondering if he will be dealt at all this spring.

After speaking with several personnel people around the league, which ways could Seattle realistically try to improve its EDGE group this offseason? Based on intel from sources, here are five viable alternatives that are on the table for Schneider and company:

**Seahawks sign Trey Hendrickson to three-year, $100 million contract**

Following a lengthy holdout in Cincinnati, the Bengals bungled the entire situation by only restructuring Hendrickson’s contract and ultimately will see the former All-Pro depart with only a potential compensatory pick in return after turning down lucrative trade offers last summer. Now, the 31-year-old will have a chance to test the market for one more big contract. Some teams may be a bit more hesitant to sign an aging player who only had four sacks in 2025, but he remained elite rushing the passer before suffering a core injury that required surgery in December, producing 23 pressures and five quarterback hits in only seven games. Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald has seen what he can do first hand from his time as a defensive coordinator with the Ravens in the AFC North and holds the player in high regard.

With sources expecting him be ready for the offseason program five months after his operation, bringing Hendrickson on board to go with Lawrence, Nwosu, and Hall would give the Seahawks a murderer’s row of pass rushers with different skill sets and a true quarterback hunting alpha at the top to replace Mafe as part of the rotation without having to give up any of their limited draft capital in the process. Paying north of $30 million per year would be an expensive purchase to supplement an already outstanding defense with a player who hasn’t always been lauded for his run defense, but front loading the deal with guaranteed money would give the franchise flexibility if his play starts to fall off during the duration of the deal, creating an opt out option if needed down the line.

**Seahawks trade 2026 second-round pick, 2027 fourth-round pick to the Vikings for Jonathan Greenard**

The latest name to become available on the trade market, at least in terms of Minnesota being willing to discuss a possible deal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Greenard may be on his way out of town with the Vikings sorting through salary cap issues. The 28-year-old endured a down season by his standards in 2025, producing only 19 tackles and three sacks before undergoing shoulder surgery, and his health status will be a big component in regard to what Minnesota can fetch in return for him. But before injuries dogged him last year, he had back-to-back seasons with double digit sacks and he has averaged more than 60 pressures per season since 2023 when he had a breakout year for the Texans at the end of his rookie contract. He’s also a stellar run defender who can stay on the field for all three downs and has the positional flexibility to drop into coverage or rush from a three-point stance as a down defensive end.

With the Vikings reportedly wanting a second-round pick as part of a trade package and a team reporter indicating to the Emerald City Spectrum that “half the league” has inquired about his availability, the Seahawks are expected to be in play for his services as a versatile edge who fits Macdonald’s defensive vision, especially considering he has a fairly team-friendly contract to absorb with cap hits of $12.25 million and $15.7 million on the final two years of his current deal. This would create additional time before Schneider would have to re-negotiate with Greenard as well, opening the window for those discussions in the 2027 offseason at the earliest with both sides hoping he bounces back with a strong season and sets himself up for a big day either in Seattle or elsewhere.

**Seahawks trade 2026 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick, and Christian Haynes to Raiders for Maxx Crosby**

Schneider and the Seahawks have been smitten by the possibility of acquiring Crosby for quite some time now, including trying to deal for him at the trade deadline last October before the Raiders turned away those overtures and inquiring about his availability when shopping Geno Smith and DK Metcalf last March. Las Vegas has been listening to offers since the season ended, but the asking price has been too high for other teams to this point with general manager John Spytek seeking multiple first round picks in return along with additional compensation, including young talent already in the league on rookie contracts. That may seem like a lofty package for one player, but when healthy, Crosby has been a game-wrecking nightmare for opponents to deal with, racking up at least 10 sacks in four of his six NFL seasons and hitting 20-plus quarterback hits five straight seasons.

Compared to other teams who may be in the mix for Crosby, Seattle may be more open to a trade with multiple first round picks due to picking 32nd overall this year and expecting to have a late pick in 2027 as well. But as far as moveable assets already on the roster are concerned, Schneider doesn’t have as many options for young players that he would willingly trade away. With that said, Las Vegas needs all of the offensive line help it can get and Haynes hasn’t been able to beat out Anthony Bradford for a starting job in his first two seasons. The former third-round pick out of UConn would be a natural fit to reunite with head coach Klint Kubiak in the Sin City and still has two years of club control, which could be enough to facilitate a deal with two firsts to acquire the multi-time All-Pro defender.

**Seahawks sign Khalil Mack to one-year, $16 million contract**

Entering his 13th NFL season and recently turning 35 years old, Mack isn’t the perennial First-Team All-Pro and Defensive Player of the Year contender he once was and his career has reached the point where he’s playing on one-year contracts with retirement starting to come into focus. But while his sack and quarterback hit numbers have dipped some over the previous two seasons and he has missed some time due to injuries, he has remained productive, including forcing six fumbles during that span. Similar to Lawrence a year ago, his veteran presence could be a major asset not just on the field, but as a mentor for younger players on the roster, and he has previous experience playing in a similar scheme for new Ravens coach Jesse Minter with the Chargers the past two seasons.

Compared to the rest of the alternatives on this list of moves, Mack would be a true stop-gap bridge signing, and the Seahawks would have to make sure they are paying for expected production rather than past accolades. But a one-year contract with incentives baked in could yield similar results to Lawrence from a year ago, especially with the opportunity for the player to push for an elusive championship after never playing in an NFC or AFC Championship Game in his career to this point. Schneider has explored signing him in recent seasons and bringing him on board now also wouldn’t cost any draft picks, which will be appealing given Seattle’s lack of selections for 2026.

**Seahawks trade 2026 third-round pick, Christian Haynes, and Tyrice Knight to Raiders for Tyree Wilson and 2026 fifth-round pick**

Formerly a top-10 pick out of Texas Tech in the 2023 NFL Draft, Wilson has been a disappointment in three seasons with the Raiders, starting just seven games and producing 12 total sacks during that span. Blown tackles have also been a huge problem for him, whether failing to finish off sacks in the pocket or struggling to bring down ball carriers in the run game with a career 23.5% missed tackle rate. But the Alaska native has yet to turn 26 years old and it can be argued his development has been saddled by coaching turnover and lack of talent around him. There’s also been flashes of his immense talent, albeit in limited fashion, with four forced fumbles and a respectable 10% pressure rate for his career.

The Seahawks met with Wilson in the pre-draft process three years ago, ultimately choosing Devon Witherspoon with their fifth overall selection instead. But the Red Raiders star was on their big board and Schneider has kept tabs on him from afar the past few years, even floating the idea of including him in a trade for Smith last year. If Crosby proves to be too expensive for his tastes, dealing away a mid-round pick along with Haynes and Knight could be enough to acquire a talented young player who could simply need a change of scenery with a strong coaching staff led by Macdonald to bring out the best in him. The fifth-year option would also be on the table to give Seattle additional time for continued evaluation to see if he fits into longer term plans.