Seahawks DL Mario Edwards 'is going to be a factor' in 2023
The Seattle Seahawks' defensive line has undergone a transformation over the last couple of months and part of said transformation is veteran Mario Edwards Jr. Edwards Jr. is entering his ninth season and has racked up 19.5 sacks, 46 quarterback hits, 23.0 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles over the course of 99 games. […]
The Seattle Seahawks' defensive line has undergone a transformation over the last couple of months and part of said transformation is veteran Mario Edwards Jr.
Edwards Jr. is entering his ninth season and has racked up 19.5 sacks, 46 quarterback hits, 23.0 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles over the course of 99 games. Overall, he's a solid depth player that can provide quality snaps from time-to-time.
But even though he's a rotational guy, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll sees big things for Edwards Jr. in 2023.
“He looked really quick,” Carroll told reporters Thursday. “He gets the game. He understands it. He’s going to be a factor, there’s no question in my mind. He weighed in at 297, he’s got enough versatility in his background — he’s played inside and outside, played on the nose. That’s a real bonus for us. I was really fired up (to sign him). We had to tone him down a little bit. He was out here to show who he is and what he can do, and he made a really good impression on us, for sure.”
Edwards Jr. played for the Tennessee Titans last year and finished the season with 3.0 sacks, 11 QB hits, 4.0 TFLs, and 17 total tackles while playing around 51% of defensive snaps. Per Pro Football Focus, he lined up at nose, 3-tech (defensive tackle), 4-tech (defensive end), outside linebacker (both left and right) on multiple occasions..
In other words: Edwards Jr. should fit right in on what should be a versatile defensive line in its own right. And, based off his supporting cast, there's little reason to think, right now, that Carroll is wrong in his assessment. Edwards Jr. won't record double-digit sacks, or anything like that. However, if he can provide a big spark while the starters get a breather, then yes, that would certainly make him a "factor" in 2023.
Featured image via Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
