The Seattle Seahawks‘ rough opening day of free agency continues, as their top free agents keep signing elsewhere. This time, it’s edge rusher Boye Mafe, who just signed a three-year, $60 million deal with the Bengals, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
A former second-round pick out of Minnesota, Mafe spent his entire four-year rookie contract in Seattle. He totaled 164 tackles, 20 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and 14 passes defensed. Mafe was part of a deep rotation of edge rushers in Seattle, and even though he never produced standout numbers, teams liked his tape. He’s expected to flourish in a larger role in Cincinnati.
The Seattle Seahawks Have Expensive Contract Extensions Upcoming
GettySEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 25: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the ball as Boye Mafe #53 of the Seattle Seahawks looks to make a tackle during the second quarter in the NFC Championship game at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Part of the reason that the Seahawks are forced to watch all their free agents sign big contracts elsewhere is the fact that Seattle is about to pay a lot of expensive contract extensions. Their two best players — WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba and CB Devon Witherspoon — are about to break records at their respective positions. The Seahawks are being smart about where they allocate their money.
Part of winning a Super Bowl with young talent primarily on rookie contracts is that eventually, the bill comes due. It’s why it’s important to win during that window, beyond just the fact that winning is good no matter when you do it. When you start having to pay your stars market-level contracts, building a winning roster around them becomes much more difficult.
Still, the Seahawks have done a masterful job at keeping the cupboard stocked with talent, especially on defense. Mafe’s departure is a big loss, but it’s one Seattle is well-prepared to absorb, as they have no shortage of dynamic pass rushers ready to ruin the opposing quarterback’s day every week.
The Seattle Seahawks Will Look to Replenish Their Defense in the Draft
Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald and GM John Schneider built Seattle into a Super Bowl winner by finding incredible talent and value in every round of the draft. They aren’t going to stop now.
The Seahawks didn’t mortgage the farm to win Super Bowl LX — Seattle is still stocked with draft picks and elite talent already on the roster. Finding value with those picks will be important, though, as the Seahawks will be counting on a lot of rookies and second-year players to fill important roles on this team vacated by these outgoing free agents.
In fact, a direct replacement for Mafe may be in the cards for the Seahawks with their first-round pick at No. 32. This is a deep class of edge rushers and Seattle could look to draft someone like Clemson’s T.J. Parker, Miami’s Akheem Mesidor, Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell, or Central Florida’s Malachi Lawrence, among others — depending on who’s on the board.
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