Uchenna Nwosu finished off last season with the splashiest of highlights, putting the exclamation mark on a dominant Super Bowl victory by intercepting Drake Maye, who had just been blasted by a blitzing Devon Witherspoon, and returning the pick 45 yards for a touchdown.
In that same Super Bowl LX victory, Seahawks outside linebacker Derick Hall recorded a pair of sacks, one of which forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate Byron Murphy II.
So yes, Seattle's outside linebackers are more than capable of producing the flashy, highlight-reel plays that are often associated with edge rushers—heck, DeMarcus Lawrence even scored two touchdowns in one game—but if you want to know what really differentiates Seattle's collection of edge players from most people playing the position, watch what they do in in run defense.
Cue up the video of Nwosu, on New England's first offensive possession, blasting Patriots tight end Eli Raridon, who was in motion on the play, giving him a running start at Nwosu. Nwosu sopped Raridon dead in his tracks before knocking Rhamondre Stevenson down for a 3-yard loss, turning second-and-4 into third-and-7, eventually leading to a punt. Or find any of the countless examples of Nwosu, Hall and Lawrence setting an edge against a bigger offensive tackle, helping contain a run by keeping it from getting outside.
The physicality and violence the Seahawks want out of their team extends to just about every position group, but one of the clearest examples of it is in the play of the team's outside linebackers, who do so much more than just rush the passer.
"D-Law, Hall and Chenna, they actually opened my eyes with how physical they are and how they play the run here," said outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. who is in his 11th year in the league having played for five other teams before signing with Seattle this offseason. "It's definitely different than other teams than I've been on in the intent about setting the edge and playing with heavy hands."
One of the core principles of head coach Mike Macdonald's teams is that he expects them to play, as he puts it "a style nobody wants to play," and a play like the one Nwosu made early in last week's game embodies that style.
"That sets the tone," Fowler said. "That energizes the whole team, the whole sideline, the whole stadium. Him knocking the tight end into the running back—the running back got the ball and somebody's already on him—that's not good for a running back. After that happens, he's thinking, 'Damn, maybe these guys are going to be back here again,' and that can slow him down. That's good for the defense to set a tone of, 'This is how we're going to play today.'"
That tone is set, of course, by the players making things happen between the lines, but it also starts during the week with the coaching of defensive coordinator Aden Durde, outside linebackers coach Josh Bynes, defensive line coach Justin Hinds and defensive run game coordinator Chris Partridge. The end result of that coaching and the right players executing it is a physical style of play that helps make the Seahawks defense what it is.
"It's critical," Durde said. "Violence in this game, if done the right way, is the way the game's meant to be played. It should happen on the edge of the defense. It should happen on the interior of the defense. It should happen on the second level of the defense and it should happen on the third level of the defense. That's the standard that the guys have set, and if you're not doing it that way, you can see it more than if you are doing it that way."
Seattle's outside linebacker quartet of Hall, Nwosu, Lawrence and Boye Mafe were a big part of the Seahawks leading the league in scoring defense and eventually winning a Super Bowl, yet none of them came close to double-digit sacks, often a sign of success at that position. Nwosu tied Byron Murphy II and Leonard Williams for the team lead with 7.0 sacks, Lawrence had 6.0, while Mafe and Hall had 2.0 each, a total Hall would match in the Super Bowl. But what those players also do is help create rush lanes for their teammates, and even more significant to the overall success of the defense, they play a vital role in early-down run defense, part of why the Seahawks held opponents to a league-low 3.7 yards per rush attempt.
"That's the standard here," Nwosu said. "That's one of our non-negotiables that we talk about, being violent in the run game. We know if we don't stop the run, we're not going to be able to get the opportunity to pass rush. That's what we all want to do at the end of the, and we know that to even get to that, we have to stop the run first. It's a non-negotiable for this defense, if you want to be able to play for this team, you've got to be able to play hard in the run game.
"That's where it starts, being able to stop the run in four-down it opens up so many different things you can do. We have the type of guys to be able to do that, and when you have guys who can stop the run in four down, the defense can be unstoppable."
To Nwosu's point, the Seahawks being able to stop the run with their front four is such a huge part of their success. Like a lot of NFL teams, the Seahawks play a lot of nickel (five defensive backs) and when safety Nick Emmanwori is healthy, dime (six defensive backs) packages. They also play a lot of two-high safety shells that, while effective at eliminating big passing plays, don't offer a lot of extra help in the run game. Yet despite the fact that the Seahawks didn't often load the box to stop the run, they did not allow a 100-yard rusher all of last season, a streak that dates back to 2024 and is now up to 27 games after the Seahawks bottled up Stevenson and company last week.
"Mike plays a lot of shell, and we know up front, it's our responsibility," Hall said. "We feel like we have the guys and the talent to be able to stop the run with four, and when you have the ability to do that, it opens up the playbook so much, and gives the guy on the back room so much more room to do their job. It's huge for us."
Said Macdonald, "We play a lot of shell defense. There's more gaps than people at the line of scrimmage, so we need our front six or front seven guys to restrict space. We talk about playing your 1.09, which gets you to 12. That's what you expect from it. It starts up front. When you're in some of the fronts that we're at, a lot of times, the point of attack is C-gap and out. We expect a lot out of those guys, and we ask a lot out of them. We have great players. They're up to the task and they understand that if we play first down and second down the right way, then we can get opportunities to attack the quarterback."
The Seahawks and Cardinals get set to face off for their first matchup of the season on Sunday, September 20. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Cardinals.
Running back Ron Moore (30) of the Phoenix Cardinals is held to a one yard gain as he is tackled by Cortez Kennedy (96) of the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter of their NFL game in Seattle, Washington, Dec. 19, 1993. Watching the play is Joe Wolf (68) of the Cardinals. Phoenix beat Seattle in overtime, 30-27. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
Arizona Cardinals Chris Gedney (84) takes in a pass while in the grasp of Seattle Seahawks Fred Thomas (22) and goes for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Sept. 13, 1998 in Seattle. The play went 23 yards but wasnt enough as Seattle won the game 33-14. (AP Photo/Jay Drowns)
Seattle Seahawks' Itula Mili catches a 1-yard pass in the endzone from quarterback Trent Dilfer while Arizona Cardinals' Kwamie Lassiter stands in the background during the second quarter in Seattle Sunday Sept. 15, 2002. AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Arizona Cardinals Defensive End Kyle Vanden Bosch (93) runs during a week 10 NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Phoenix, Arizona on November 10, 2002. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 27-6. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Seattle Seahawks' Chike Okeafor (56) strips the ball away from Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander, right, outruns Arizona Cardinals' Duane Starks on a 23-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, in Seattle. Alexander rushed 30 times for 154 yards with three touchdowns, leading Seattle to a 24-21 win. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks safety Ken Hamlin, left, and Kelly Herdon, background right, break up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin during the first quarter Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Julian Peterson, left, hurries Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart (7) during the second quarter of their football game Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
FILE Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner loses control of the ball but regains control as he is sacked by Seattle Seahawks' Darryl Tapp during the fourth quarter of a football game in Seattle, in this Sept. 17, 2006 file photo. One week after Warner was named NFC offensive player of the week in Arizona's season-opening victory over San Francisco, he was blamed, in part, by his coach for the offense's struggles in Sunday's 21-10 loss at Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Arizona Cardinals' Calvin Pace, rear right, Darnell Dockett, left, and Antonio Smith, center, pursue Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Seattle Seahawks' Marcus Trufant returns an intercepted pass for an 84-yard touchdown from Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner with Ralph Brown diving after him during the fourth quarter of their football game in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007. The Seahawks won 42-21. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 16: Running back Maurice Morris #20 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday November 16, 2008 in Seattle, Washington. The Cardinals won the game 26-20. (AP Photo/Thomas E. Witte) T.J. Duckett
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace (15) throws as Arizona Cardinals' Bertrand Berry (92) pursues during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
From left, Seattle Seahawks? Colin Cole, Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin (81), Seahawks' Aaron Curry (59) and Cardinals' Mike Gandy in action during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Justin Forsett (20) breaks free from Arizona Cardinals linebacker Clark Haggans (53) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Seattle Seahawks Marcus Trufant, left, and Walter Thurmond, right, tackle Arizona Cardinals Tim Hightower, center, causing a fumble, in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Mike Williams (17) gains yards as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Greg Toler defends during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Seattle Seahawks David Hawthorne tackles Arizona Cardinals Todd Heap in the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette, tops makes a touchdown reception over Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marshay Gren, bottom, during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 23-20 in overtime. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) escapes a sack by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Reggie Walker during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012,in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) returns an interception from Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton (19) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Zach Miller (86) pulls in a touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Yeremiah Bell (37) and Rashad Johnson (26) defend during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Seattle Seahawks' Russell Okung (76) defends against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks' cornerback Richard Sherman, left, runs coverage on Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) breaks the tackle of Arizona Cardinals strong safety Deone Bucannon (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws as Arizona Cardinals nose tackle Rodney Gunter (95) pursues during the first half of a football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Seattle Seahawks' Doug Baldwin (89) runs with the ball as Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson gives chase in the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) catches a touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals, 22-16. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Seahawks celebrate in the end zone.
Kenneth Walker III crashes into the end zone with a touchdown to cap Seattle's final scoring drive.
Seahawks receiver Jake Bobo goes high in the air to make make the catch, then managed to keep his feet inbounds for a second quarter touchdown.
Seattle's Kenneth Walker III sheds Arizona safety Budda Baker on a long gain in the first half.
Devon Witherspoon after one of his three tackels for loss against the Cardinals.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett tracks the football as he croses into the end zone for a touchdown from quarterback Geno Smith late in the game.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant leaps into the end zone at the end of a pick-six with an homage to former running back Marshawn Lynch, who once struck the same pose as he scored against Arizona.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba finds ample running room up the left side for a 46-yard gain in the second quarter.
Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams acknowledges 12s in the stands in Arizona as the team takes the field.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet stiff arms Arizona's Budda Baker.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV returns an interception in the second quarter.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba catches a long pass from Sam Darnold in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas sacks Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers successfully kicks the game-winning field goal as time ran out.
