What started off as a conversation with his former defensive line coach Aden Durde during the 2025 offseason, turned into Dante Fowler Jr. signing with the Seahawks about a year later. Fowler said he and Durde had a conversation last free agency, ahead of the 2025 season, but "it ended up not working out."
This offseason was different though. Durde made the call again and that conversation led to a different outcome.
"I came up here and visited and I loved the visit," Fowler said. "It went really well and we went for it from here."
It also helped that he had his former teammate in DeMarcus Lawrence also in his ear, saying nothing but good things about Seattle.
"He had called me a few times and the day that I actually signed we were talking for like 30-45 minutes and I was just like, 'I think this is a good fit.' So I ended up signing here."
And Fowler is ready to go, despite missing the first day of training camp, for what head coach Mike Macdonald called "precautionary." Fowler said he feels similar to how he did ahead of his 2024 season with the Washington Commanders, where he played in all 17 games and posted 10.5 sacks, 39 tackles, three passes defensed and an interception returned for a touchdown.
"The strengthening team here is probably like the best strengthening team I've ever been a part of," Fowler said. "Usually in OTAs guys want to go and do their own thing. I wanted to be here. I was looking forward to being with the strength coaches. They get me in really great shape. I feel like how I played when I was in Washington with the Commanders. Like I knew I was going to have a great season, just because of the work that I put in, in the offseason, how good of shape I was. I feel like that."
Fowler practiced on both Sunday and Monday.
"You can definitely feel him today," Macdonald said. "You want to affect the quarterback, but not too much at this part of the training camp. So he's doing great. He's doing great. He's getting used to how we roll here and I think he's enjoying his time, which is a positive, but definitely seeing flashes for sure. So we're excited about it."
Fowler joins what was already a very good defensive front during the 2025 season. That defense was the No. 1 DVOA passing defense in the league.
"We have really good interior guys, great edge rush guys that can get after the quarterback," Fowler said. "I love playing with a group of guys, especially like with Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed and Byron Murphy II and guys like that, that can make my job a lot more easier in the inside, so I can just get a lot of good one on ones with the tackles and get there pretty fast."
Macdonald and company have tried to make the process for any of the new players as seamless as possible, while being inclusive to those who weren't part of the team last season.
"They're bringing all the new guys and the young guys along really well," Fowler said. "But you know like I just fall in line and do what I'm supposed to do. They already had a great defense before we got here and they won a Super Bowl. It was the best defense in the world last year. So my job is to just fall in line and do whatever I gotta do to make this defense upgrade a little bit more."
And players know that Fowler will help "upgrade" the defense.
Ernest Jones IV said, "From a football aspect, what he's going to bring to that room, past-rush-wise, Lord, he's able to get off the rock. He has so many moves in his bag, and it's only going to make the guys around him better."
Seahawks players participated in the second practice of training camp on Sunday, July 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Julian Neal (1) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (23) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Logan Brown (73) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14), wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and running back George Holani (36) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (33) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and running back George Holani (36) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and running back Jadarian Price (8) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (56) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Rodney Thomas II (24) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safeties coach Jeff Howard with safety Julian Love (20) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) and quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and cornerback Josh Jobe (29) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Andre Fuller (35) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Michael Dansby (37), cornerback Julian Neal (1), safety Bud Clark (9) and cornerback Andre Fuller (35) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) on day two of training camp on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
