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Cowboys fans, it's time to wave a bittersweet goodbye to a familiar face. DeMarcus Lawrence, the defensive end who's been a Dallas staple for over a decade, is packing his bags and heading to the Seattle Seahawks. The news dropped like a bombshell on March 12, via dallascowboys.com, confirming that Lawrence inked a three-year deal with Seattle worth up to $42 million, including $18 million guaranteed. After 11 seasons, four Pro Bowls, and a whole lot of heart with the Cowboys, "Tank" is suiting up in a new jersey.
Lawrence kicked off his NFL journey with Dallas back in 2014, snagged as a second-round pick from Boise State. He quickly became a defensive cornerstone, racking up 61.5 sacks and earning All-Pro honors in 2017. "He's been a heartbeat of the defense," a Cowboys insider noted, reflecting on his impact.
But 2024 threw a curveball-a Lisfranc foot injury sidelined him after just four games, where he still managed 14 tackles and three sacks. Now, at 33, he's taking his talents to the Pacific Northwest, reuniting with ex-Cowboys D-line coach Aden Durde, who's now Seattle's defensive coordinator.
The Seahawks swooped in fast during the 2025 free agency legal tampering period, and it's easy to see why. Seattle's defense shined late in 2024, and adding a vet like Lawrence could make them downright scary. "This move strengthens a strength," an NFL.com analyst said, pointing to how he'll mentor young guns like Boye Mafe. With $18 million locked in and a max of $42 million on the table, it's a solid payday for a guy who's proven he can still disrupt offenses-even if injuries have nagged him lately.
Cowboys lose DeMarcus Lawrence to Seahawks: What's next?
For Dallas, it's a tough pill to swallow. Lawrence was one of the longest-tenured Cowboys, alongside Zack Martin, who's also out the door (retired). Posts on X lit up with fans lamenting, "Seeing DLaw in Seahawks gear is gonna hurt."
The Cowboys tried to keep him-Lawrence himself said, "I'd like to stay here. It would be a glorious thing," per nfl.com-but with Micah Parsons' extension looming and only $3.86 million in cap space, per Over the Cap, the numbers didn't add up. Instead, they've doubled down on the D-line with newbies like Payton Turner and Solomon Thomas.
Lawrence's fresh start in Seattle's got folks buzzing-will he reclaim his Pro Bowl form? Can he stay healthy? Cowboys Nation might miss him, but Seahawks fans are ready to cheer on their new -rushing star.