Our Super Bowl Defense Featured Two 'Old Guys' Who Just Landed On an Elite NFL List and Seattle Needs to Know

Can you even believe it, 12s?! USA Today just dropped their ranking of the NFL's best defensive players over 30, and you know our Super Bowl champs were gonna be all over it! Forget "aging veterans," because two of our absolute studs, Leonard Williams and DeMarcus Lawrence, are reppin' the Emerald City right there with the league's elite. After bringing home that Lombardi Trophy, this list from USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz just solidifies what we already knew: our defense is built different, and age ain't nothing but a number when you've got this kind of talent.

Leonard Williams: The Super Bowl Champ Who Keeps Getting Better

Seriously, how many players are still "on the rise" at 31 years old? That's our guy, Leonard Williams! His 2025 season was absolutely epic and showed everyone what he's truly capable of. He crushed it, snagging his third Pro Bowl nod and earning a spot on the All-Pro Second Team. We're talking 62 tackles and seven sacks, all while anchoring a Super Bowl winning defense. He'd been in the league for 11 seasons, pouring his heart out, and finally got that ring with us. It's awesome to see him get the recognition he deserves, proving that hard work and skill don't have an expiration date.

DeMarcus Lawrence: Our Super Bowl Ring Is Just His Latest Crown

And then there's DeMarcus Lawrence, who joined the Seahawks in 2025 and immediately became a Super Bowl hero. This dude is 34 and playing like he's still in his prime! Last year alone, he racked up 53 tackles, six sacks, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. That's a Pro Bowl season right there, a testament to his relentless motor and impact. Before coming to Seattle, Lawrence spent 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, earning five Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro Second Team nod in 2017. To come to Seattle, play at that level, and help us win a Super Bowl, it just speaks volumes about his character and his game.

The Elite Company Our Seahawks Are Keeping

When you look at the top of this list, it's a who's who of NFL legends, and our guys are right there in the mix. Myles Garrett, who just got traded to the Rams and turned 30 in December, is number one. The dude is a two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year, holds the NFL record with 23 sacks in a season, and has 125.5 career sacks. Then you've got Danielle Hunter with 114.5 career sacks, Chris Jones, who's a future Hall of Famer with three Super Bowl rings, and T.J. Watt, a former DPOY. Cameron Heyward, at 37, is still a dominant force on the Steelers. Our Seahawks, Williams and Lawrence, are standing shoulder to shoulder with these absolute titans of the game. What this ranking screams is that our Super Bowl-winning defense isn't just about young guns. It's about a perfect blend of established dominance and rising stars. With guys like Williams and Lawrence still making these kinds of lists, you know our defense is going to be a force for the next season. Let's get ready for another incredible year watching these legends fly around Lumen Field!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.