Super Bowl winner makes ‘bittersweet’ retirement u-turn after change of heart

DeMarcus Lawrence now knows it’s time.

With a Super Bowl in the bag, the Seattle Seahawks defensive end has decided that 2026 will be the final season of a storied career.

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The 34-year-old was a huge part of the Seattle team that won the franchise’s second Super Bowl with victory over New England in Santa Clara in February.

That much was evident not just from his presence around the team all season, but his impact on the field where Mike McDonald’s dominant defence set the tone all season.

Alongside Leonard Williams, Ernest Jones, and Julian Love, Lawrence was the veteran presence along side the emerging talent that included Nick Emmanwori and Devon Witherspoon.

As the Seahawks prepare to defend their Lombardi, Lawrence has confirmed that he will retire at the end of the forthcoming season.

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“It was a tough process but through the grace of God, I’m able to play another year and soak it all up one more good time before I hang it up,” he told Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports before facing the media on Friday.

“I kinda had my mind made up that if I won, I was done, but I kinda had a bittersweet feeling in my heart, understanding that with the type of team that we had, we should have been where we were last year.

“This is where the hard part begins, staying on top.”

It is quite the journey for Lawrence, who arrived in the Pacific North West chasing a Super Bowl after 11 frustrating – yet impactful -seasons in the league with the Dallas Cowboys.

He will now leave it with a legendary Super Bowl run and the biggest ever championship ring to show for it and he hopes another Lombardi.

His exit from ‘America’s Team’ in free agency in 2025 almost prompted retirement, but he felt he owed himself a chance at winning it all.

AFP

AFP

Drafted out of Boise State in 2014, he made an immediate impact and has done almost every season in the league, but it was a Super Bowl that provided the initial fulfilment.

He got it at Levi’s Stadium in that 29-13 win, in which the self-styled ‘Dark Side’ defense racked up six sacks of Drake Maye, eight tackles for loss, two interceptions and one touchdown

With McDonald running it back for 2026 – and a big chunk of the roster returning – Lawrence has a repeat on his mind for the ultimate ending.

“We’re the ones with the dot on our backs, I just want to see how that feels,” he added

“See the different obstacles that we can overcome, are we going to stay together in those tough moments throughout a season and just be a part of this brotherhood.”

As Lawrence prepares for his final run, it’s fitting that it will be the Cowboys he comes against, having been such a huge part of his career.

The Seahawks start their preseason on Saturday night at home to the Cowboys, and while Lawrence is not expected to feature games against Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs round out their preparations.

A repeat against the Patriots, on banner night at Lumen Field, will get the regular season under way on September 9.

Lawrence will be out there, determined to make good on his ambition to finish on another electric high.