The Seattle Seahawks have checked a critical box on their offseason to-do list, signing veteran edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. to a one-year deal. The move fills a glaring need for the Super Bowl champions, who had yet to address their pass rush after losing a key contributor in free agency.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the contract could be worth up to $5 million with performance incentives. Fowler, 31, joins a Seahawks defense looking to reload after their February Super Bowl victory. The signing comes as a late-stage free agency addition, but one that could pay immediate dividends.

Fowler's 2025 season with the Dallas Cowboys was relatively quiet—he recorded just three sacks in 17 games. However, the year prior showcased his potential: in 2024, at age 30, he exploded for 10.5 sacks while playing for Dan Quinn's Washington Commanders. That resurgence reminded teams of the disruptive force he can be off the edge.

The former third overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft (Jacksonville Jaguars, out of Florida) brings a decade of NFL experience. His career has taken him through Jacksonville, Los Angeles (Rams), Atlanta, and most recently Dallas. For Seattle, this isn't just about adding depth—it's about filling a specific void.

Edge rusher was the one position the Seahawks hadn't addressed significantly this offseason. In March, they watched Boye Mafe depart for a lucrative $20 million-per-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. Seattle hoped to find a replacement in the draft two weeks ago, but the pass rushers they coveted were gone by the time they picked. None of their eight selections were edge rushers.

Now, with Fowler in the fold, the Seahawks have a proven veteran who can step in and contribute immediately. While he may not replicate his 10.5-sack season every year, his track record shows he's capable of making game-changing plays when given the right opportunity. For a team with championship aspirations, that's exactly the kind of insurance they needed.