Seahawks host former first-round pick Dante Fowler

TL;DR

The Seattle Seahawks are considering adding veteran edge rusher Dante Fowler to enhance their pass rushing depth. Fowler, previously with the Dallas Cowboys, has a strong track record, including a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2019.

Key points

Seahawks looking to enhance pass rushing depth
Dante Fowler visited the Seahawks for a potential signing
Fowler recorded three sacks and 30 pressures last season
He has a history with Seahawks' defensive coordinator Aden Durde
Signing Fowler won't affect compensatory picks

Seattle SeahawksDallas CowboysJacksonville JaguarsLos Angeles Rams

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 21: Dante Fowler Jr. #13 of the Dallas Cowboys defends against the Los Angeles Chargers during an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks have made it clear that they will be looking to add to their pass rushing depth this offseason. Per the official transaction wire, veteran edge rusher Dante Fowler visited the Seahawks. Fowler was most recently with the Dallas Cowboys for a second time, playing in all regular season games and recording three sacks and 30 pressures in a rotational role. Fowler was drafted third overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars back in the 2015 NFL Draft, staying local as a former Florida Gator. An ACL tear during rookie mini-camp ended his season in an instant, and while he was a key part of Jacksonville’s elite 2017 defense that propelled an unlikely AFC Championship Game run, he was still dealt to the Los Angeles Rams midway through 2018. His career-high 11.5 sacks came with the Rams in 2019, after which he joined Dan Quinn’s Atlanta Falcons on a sizeable $16 million/year free agent contract. Fowler followed Quinn to Dallas in 2022, recording six sacks in his first season with the Cowboys. After his first Cowboys stint, Fowler signed a one-year deal with the in 2024, reuniting with Dan Quinn and posting 10.5 sacks en route to the NFC Championship Game. Fowler’s return to the Cowboys was on a one-year, $6 million contract. While the 31-year-old Fowler has spent a lot of his years playing in former Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn’s defenses, he also has familiarity with current Seahawks DC Aden Durde, who was on Quinn’s Falcons staff from 2018-2020 before becoming Cowboys defensive line coach from 2021-2023. Over the last two offseasons the Seahawks signed former Cowboys Johnathan Hankins and , both of whom similarly had ties to Durde. Seattle , whereas and are entering the final years of their respective contracts. Whether through the free agent market, the draft, or even a trade, the short- and long-term expectation is that the Seahawks will want more depth at outside linebacker. For anyone concerned about comp picks, there is no rush to sign Fowler. Any player signed from Apr. 28 onward will not count against teams in the compensatory pick formula, which means the Seahawks should have the heading into next year’s draft.

Q&A

What is Dante Fowler's career history in the NFL?

Dante Fowler was drafted third overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015, has played for the Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons, and most recently had stints with the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders.

Why are the Seahawks interested in signing Dante Fowler?

The Seahawks are looking to bolster their pass rushing depth, especially with current outside linebackers entering the final years of their contracts and recent departures in free agency.

How does signing Dante Fowler affect the Seahawks' compensatory picks?

Signing Fowler after April 28 will not count against the Seahawks in the compensatory pick formula, allowing them to retain the maximum four comp picks for the upcoming draft.