DeMarcus Lawrence to retire after 2026 NFL season

Seattle Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence has announced he will retire following the 2026 NFL season, his 13th in the league. The five-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl champion shared his decision in an interview published on August 14, 2026. Lawrence, 34, stated that the upcoming campaign will be his final one, allowing him to play one last year before ending his career.

Lawrence spent the majority of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, who selected him in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He became a cornerstone of their defense, earning All-Pro honors and four Pro Bowl selections during his 11 seasons in Dallas. After a 2024 season shortened by a Lisfranc injury, he signed a three-year, $32.5 million contract with Seattle. In his first season with the Seahawks, Lawrence started all 16 regular-season games, recording six sacks, 53 tackles, and 20 quarterback hits. He also achieved a rare feat by returning two fumbles for touchdowns in the same quarter during a Week 10 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Lawrence added two sacks during Seattle's playoff run, which culminated in a Super Bowl LX championship.

The veteran explained that retirement was a...