The Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks have agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $5 million with veteran pass rusher Dante Fowler. This marks their first significant outside free agent addition this offseason. Fowler brings 58.5 career sacks to bolster the team's defensive depth.
The Seahawks, fresh off their Super Bowl LX victory over the Patriots, dipped into the free agent market on Tuesday by agreeing to terms with Dante Fowler, according to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero. The deal is worth up to $5 million. Fowler, who turns 32 a month before the season starts, recorded three sacks in limited snaps for the Dallas Cowboys last season and 10.5 sacks with the Washington Commanders the year prior. He has played across 10 NFL seasons with the Jaguars, Rams, Falcons, Cowboys and Commanders. Seattle had been quiet on major outside acquisitions since the title win, re-signing wide receiver Rashid Shaheed to a three-year, $51 million pact and cornerback Josh Jobe to a three-year, $24 million deal. No other outside free agent signings exceeded $2 million until Fowler. The team also lost key contributors in free agency, including Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III to the Chiefs, edge rusher Boye Mafe to the Bengals, safety Coby Bryant to the Bears and cornerback Tariq Woolen to the Eagles. With roughly $32 million in cap space before the Fowler signing, per Over The Cap, Seattle ranks seventh in active cap spending. Extensions for Jaxon Smith-Njigba and likely Devon Witherspoon loom ahead. Fowler steps into a rotation spot vacated by Mafe. His 13% pressure rate last year exceeded the league average for edge players with significant snaps, and he posted higher marks in prior seasons. Under defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Fowler should contribute as a depth pass rusher amid Seattle's talented front.