DEs Mayowa, Moore playing big roles on defense in second stint with Seattle Seahawks

Both Benson Mayowa and Damontre Moore had brief first stints with the Seattle Seahawks, making little impact.

In their second go-round with the team, they’ve come through in the clutch time and time again.

The veteran defensive linemen, both of whom signed one-year deals to return to the Seahawks this season, have been in the thick of the defense’s biggest and most dramatic stops to start 2020. That continued in Sunday’s nail-biting win over the Vikings.  

The two combined to stuff an end around by Vikings receiver Adam Thielen on third down inside the Seahawks’ 10 on Minnesota’ final, would-be, game-sealing drive. Mayowa also combined with linebacker Bobby Wagner for the fourth-down stop on the ensuing play that gave the ball back to the offense, which won the game on a 94-yard touchdown series.

Moore played a critical part in Seattle’s quick barrage in the third quarter, too. He forced the fumble that resulted in a recovery for linebacker K.J. Wright at the 15-yard line — the first of two consecutive takeaways. The Seahawks' offense turned the short field after Moore’s efforts into a touchdown for DK Metcalf, part of their 21-0 run in a 1:53 span in the third quarter.

Seattle has had very glaring defensive issues to start the season, particularly when it doesn’t get turnovers. The unit struggles getting off the field. But in both Mayowa and Moore, familiar faces who've become journeymen in the NFL, the Seahawks have found productive, complementary players on value contracts.

Mayowa, who signed a one-year deal that can reach $4.05 million if all incentives are met, has been Seattle’s top defensive end and huge on fourth downs overall. He has four quarterback hits, three passes defensed, two sacks and a forced fumble through five weeks.

Mayowa, undrafted out of Idaho in 2013, was with the Seahawks during their Super Bowl-winning 2013 season, but he was buried on the depth chart and appeared in just two games that year. He was cut by Seattle during roster cuts the following season, and since then he’s had two stints with the Raiders (2014-15, 2019), and played with the Cowboys (2016-17) and Cardinals (2018).

Mayowa mentioned in the offseason how being back with the Seahawks, he’s a featured defensive end for the first time in his career.

“He’s so happy to be back here with us,” coach Pete Carroll said postgame Sunday. “It’s really fun to see him enjoy it, and then come through and help the cause. He’s been a real mainstay so far.”

Moore, who signed a veteran minimum deal with Seattle in the last week of training camp, has essentially been the team’s top situational pass rusher. He’s tied for the team lead in quarterback hits (5), despite not having played even half of the defensive snaps in any game this season.

Carroll said he’s seen tremendous growth in Moore, who’s first stint with the Seahawks in 2016 was cut short at four games due to injury. Moore has always played with energy and juice, according to Carroll, but he’s returned to Seattle more mature.

A former third-round pick, Moore has bounced around the league his whole career. He’s suited up for the Giants (2013-15), Dolphins (2015), Cowboys (2017), Raiders (2018) and the 49ers (2019) most recently, in addition to the Seahawks.

“When he came back to us, he made a real statement about how important it was to him now to put his best foot forward,” Carroll told reporters Monday. “He's got a family that he's protecting, (a) baby that he's taking care of. His perspective has changed. … I hope he can hold onto it because he's a guy that loves to play this game.”

In Sunday’s win, Moore also had on special teams what Carroll called the play of the day. He had a  picture-perfect, bone-crushing tackle on Vikings returner Ameer Abdullah in kick coverage in the third quarter.

Moore is the rare pure defensive lineman that can be used as a gunner. Seahawks assistant special teams coach Larry Izzo, who’s been in charge of the unit this season, was with the Giants when they drafted Moore in the third round in 2013.

Izzo told Carroll of what he’s capable of covering kickoffs.

“I hope he can continue to make the good decisions to keep himself available for the opportunities,” Carroll said of Moore. “He's a fun guy to have on your team. I like the heck out of the guy.”

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Ben Arthur covers sports for SeattlePI. He can be reached by email at benjaminarthur@seattlepi.com. Follow him on twitter at @benyarthur.