Fowler Had Just 3 Sacks Last Season — Here's Why Seattle Still Wants Him

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May 05, 2026


Dante Fowler Jr. Contract: The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to terms with veteran edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. on a one-year contract worth up to $5 million.

     
Edge rusher signing his Dante Fowler Jr. contract to join the Seattle Seahawks defensive line as a veteran pass rusher.

The deal was confirmed Tuesday by a source familiar with the situation. Fowler, 31, is expected to fill a key gap on the Seahawks’ defensive front. 


The team entered the offseason with a pressing need at edge rusher following the departure of Boye Mafe in free agency.


Seattle had not secured a replacement during free agency. The franchise also chose not to select an edge rusher with any of its eight picks in the recent NFL Draft.


The addition of Fowler provides experience and depth to a position that remained unresolved. 


The move signals the team’s intent to reinforce its pass rush ahead of the upcoming season.


The Seattle Seahawks continued to reshape their defensive front by adding veteran pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. following the NFL Draft. 


Fowler previously visited the team during free agency before the draft process. The timing of the signing carries strategic value. 


As of the Monday after the draft, new free agent additions no longer factor into the league’s compensatory pick formula for 2027. 


According to projections from OverTheCap.com, Seattle is expected to receive four compensatory selections.


Fowler joins a defense that recently saw significant usage from its outside linebacker rotation. 


Boye Mafe logged more than 550 snaps last season as part of a four-man group. He played alongside DeMarcus Lawrence, Uchenna Nwosu, and Derick Hall.


Seattle fielded one of the youngest rosters in the NFL last season. However, its defensive line remains anchored by experienced veterans. 


With Fowler’s arrival, the unit now includes five players aged 29 or older. That group features Fowler, Lawrence, Nwosu, Jarran Reed, and Leonard Williams.


The addition underscores Seattle’s focus on blending youth with proven experience along the defensive front heading into the upcoming season.


The Seattle Seahawks are bringing in a seasoned edge rusher with a long track record of production. 


Dante Fowler Jr., a former top draft pick, enters his 11th NFL season with 58.5 career sacks. Fowler was selected third overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2015 NFL Draft.


He missed his entire rookie season after suffering a torn ACL during training camp. He rebounded to become a consistent contributor over the following decade. 


His most productive season came in 2019 with the Los Angeles Rams, when he recorded a career-high 11.5 sacks. 


He followed that with another strong campaign in 2024, posting 10.5 sacks with the Washington Commanders. Fowler spent the 2025 season with the Dallas Cowboys. 


It marked his second stint with the franchise after previously playing there in 2022 and 2023. His arrival in Seattle also reunites him with a familiar coach. 


Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde worked closely with Fowler during his time in Dallas as the team’s defensive line coach. 


The two also shared time together in 2020 with the Atlanta Falcons, where Durde served as outside linebackers coach.


The existing relationship could help Fowler transition quickly into Seattle’s defensive system.


Dante Fowler Jr. enters the upcoming season aiming to regain form after a reduced role with the Dallas Cowboys. 


The veteran edge rusher started 11 of 17 games last season but finished with three sacks, his lowest total since 2020.


Fowler saw limited usage throughout the year. He played 359 of the team’s 1,107 defensive snaps. 


His workload declined further late in the season, as he exceeded 15 snaps in only one game during the final month.


Despite the reduced playing time, Fowler remained active in key defensive situations.


He recorded 15 tackles, including four tackles for loss. He also generated 39 quarterback pressures and added three pass breakups.


Durability has remained a strong point in Fowler’s career. He has not missed a game since the 2021 season.


Across 159 career appearances, Fowler has built a consistent statistical profile. He has totaled 74 tackles for loss, 97 quarterback hits, and 15 forced fumbles.

The Seahawks will look for Fowler to translate that experience into a more impactful role in their defensive rotation this season. 


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