After 2 sacks at Arizona, Uchenna Nwosu appreciates Seahawks sticking with him
Uchenna Nwosu was in a spot many like him in the NFL get cut.
The 28-year-old pass rusher had because of multiple injuries played in just 12 of 34 games since he signed a $45 million contract extension with the Seahawks before the 2023 season. Many in this league where it’s what have you done for me lately have been cut with more production than Nwosu had given Seattle.
He had surgery on his knee last offseason. Yet Seahawks general manager John Schneider didn’t cut him for his multiple injuries. Schneider offered a chance to stay in Seattle, with a restructured contract amended in line with his injuries and his recently decreased availability.
Nwosu jumped at the chance to stay. That decision paid off handsomely for him and his tream Thursday night here in the desert.
Nwosu had his fifth game with two sacks in his four seasons as a Seahawk. His push and pressure on quarterback Kyler Murray was a large reason Seattle dominated Arizona for much of the game before the Seahawks had to scramble late for a 23-20 victory on the final play.
After his third game back from offseason knee surgery, Seattle’s third straight win, Nwosu was thinking about John Schneider and appreciating the Seahawks general manager for not giving up on him when other GMs and teams may have.
“That just shows how much the organization cares about me,” Nwosu said of the team that signed him before the 2022 season from his hometown Los Angeles Chargers. “John is the one who brought me here when I was a free agent coming from the Chargers. John didn’t lose faith in me and didn’t lose hope in me. I’m forever grateful for it.”
Against Murray and the Cardinals, Nwosu looked like the edge-rushing force that had a career-high 9 1/2 sacks for Seattle in his first season with the team in 2022.
“I’m happy for him,” coach Mike Macdonald said, after his team’s third straight win — all three of the games Nwosu has played in this season.
Uchenna Nwosu at Arizona
Nwosu pressed the offensive tackles into the Cardinals backfield. He chased the speedy Murray down from behind. After defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence left the game in the first quarter with a thigh injury, Nwosu contained the elusive quarterback from outside in. As he did, the Seahawks dominated the first 3 1/2 quarters. They led 20-6.
Yet as he chased the speedy Murray all over State Farm Stadium, Nwosu admitted he got tired.
“I was gassed out there,” he said.
He knows what he should be doing back at the team facility in Renton next week, after this weekend off and then the Seahawks prepare to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in nine days, Oct. 5.
“That just means when I get back to the facility (I need to) get on that incline, treadmill, Stairmaster—something to get my wind up,” he said.
“I feel good. When it came down to it, I didn’t care how tired I was. I was out there just trying to make plays.
“But, definitely got to get some more running and conditioning.”
By now, he’s used to extra time in the training room.
Uchenna Nwosu’s injuries
Nwosu had two injuries and two different stints on injured reserve last season. A cut block by Cleveland guard Wyatt Teller in the final game of the 2024 preseason resulted in Nwosu beginning last season on injured reserve. In his first game back, his debut last season, he injured his thigh. He played in six of a possible 17 games for the second consecutive season.
Yet he’s remained a locker-room leader. He was dedicated to participating fully in the team’s offseason and preseason meetings and training this spring. That was even though he knew he wouldn’t be able to return to the field for months, into September.
How popular is Nwosu? His teammates wanted to talk about him as much as their win Thursday night in the desert.
“’Chen-na!” middle linebacker Ernest Jones bellowed in a room next to another bumpin’ Seahawks postgame locker room.
One of Nwosu’s teammates at USC more than a half-dozen years ago said he was happy for him.
“I played with that guy in college. He was one of the guys I was most excited about to play with when I was traded here (in October 2023),” Seahawks Pro Bowl defensive end Leonard Williams said. “He’s been battling some injuries. The thing that has impressed me the most is that it never got to him mentally. I see players go through injuries, especially back-to-back injuries like he had and you can see it creep into people’s mental (health).
“He’s always been a leader, even when he hasn’t been on the field. It’s nice to see him come out and have a game like this (Thursday).”
So far this season, Macdonald has relied on a pass rush without blitzing. Though they blitzed Murray more Thursday, the Seahawks (3-1) have been relying on their front and edge rushers to pressuring quarterbacks.
If Nwosu can re-emerge to anything close to what he was in 2022, paired with opposite outside linebacker Derick Hall, the Seahawks can cover three and four receivers with six and seven defensive backs.
Those numbers, and most games, will be in Seattle’s favor.
One word to describe Nwosu after the Seahawks extended their team record with their eighth consecutive road win: Thankful.
“It means a lot. Everybody knows my road hasn’t been easy and (dealing) with everything,” he said. “I kept my mind to the grind. I just stayed down, always telling myself things could be worse. I’m blessed to be in this position, so make the most of it (because) I know I’ll be back.
“I just kept preparing the way I usually do, and attacked my rehab really hard. Studied. Leaned on my brothers. All of my brothers in the locker room kept staying positive with me. The trainers. Everybody. It was a whole organizational effort to get me back on that field.
“I’m very appreciative. And I take none of those moments for granted.”
Now that he’s back in the middle of the Seahawks’ and Macdonald’s plans for the defense, Nwosu can feel a tightness and bonding among teammates. He credits his second-year head coach for that.
“Definitely, I feel like it’s connected. Last year we were connected, but this year it’s even more connected. Guys are spending a lot more time with each other off the field,” Nwosu said.
“It’s very important how you build the bond that we have. We play a lot of games in the locker room. Every time we see each other everybody’s laughing, hugging it up and chatting it up. Offense, defense, different positions groups, this team is very connected.
“That’s something Mike has built. That’s something we’ve built and we’re going to continue to grow.”
This story was originally published September 26, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
