Drake Thomas took over a starting role during the 2025 season and emerged as a key playmaker for a Super Bowl-winning defense, and before Thomas had a chance to become a free agent, the Seahawks made sure that he will be sticking around, signing the playmaking linebacker to a multi-year contract.
"The organization, my teammates, the coaches, this is where I wanted to be," Thomas said after signing his contract. "So to be able to sign back here and lock this in, it means the world to me."
Thomas, who has spent the past three seasons with the Seahawks, came into the league as an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina State, initially signing with the Raiders after the 2023 draft. He was claimed by the Seahawks after the Raiders waived him prior to the 2023 season, and appeared in 24 games, primarily on special teams, over his first two seasons.
In 2025, Thomas won a starting role early in the season, starting 14 of 17 games while become one of Seattle's top playmakers on defense, finishing second on the team in total tackles (89) and tackles for loss (10), and fourth in passes defensed (8) while also adding 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hits, an interception and a fumble recovery.
With Thomas, Ernest Jones IV and Tyrice Knight all under contract for multiple years, the Seahawks have a solid foundation and continuity at inside linebacker for 2026 and beyond. And from a bigger-picture standpoint, the Seahawks will be returning most of their starters from a Super Bowl-winning squad, including Thomas and cornerback Josh Jobe, who both re-signed this week.
"I'm so excited," Thomas said of what the Seahawks defense can do moving forward. "I feel like we can just keep on ascending and getting better, so to be a part of that again, it's super exciting."
The Seahawks re-signed linebacker Drake Thomas to a multi-year deal on March 11, 2026. Check out the top photos of Thomas from the Super Bowl-winning season.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Las Vegas Raiders in preseason Week 1.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Kansas City Chiefs in preseason Week 2.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Green Bay Packers in preseason Week 3.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Green Bay Packers in preseason Week 3.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the New Orleans Saints in Week 3.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the New Orleans Saints in Week 3.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Houston Texans in Week 7.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Houston Texans in Week 7.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Houston Texans in Week 7.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Houston Texans in Week 7.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Houston Texans in Week 7.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Tennessee Titans in Week 12.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Tennessee Titans in Week 12.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Tennessee Titans in Week 12.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Tennessee Titans in Week 12.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Carolina Panthers in Week 17.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Carolina Panthers in Week 17.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Carolina Panthers in Week 17.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) vs. the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Super Bowl LX parade.
