In a move that certainly surprised us, Derick Hall decided not to follow Boye Mafe’s path toward big free-agent money, choosing instead to stay in Seattle for maybe 70% of what he could have gotten on the market next year.

That Hall chose to stay rather than chase the big bucks is a testament to what Mike Macdonald and John Schneider have built and continue to build in Seattle.

It’s the first big move the Seahawks have made to settle their defensive front beyond 2026 – Byron Murphy II had been the only guy among the top seven assured of returning in 2027.

Hall’s deal reportedly is worth $42 million over three years, with $21 million guaranteed and incentives that could make it worth over $46.5 million. At $14 million a year, that is far below the $20 million Mafe got from Cincinnati. Hall did get a couple million more in guarantees.

After signing his deal today, Hall explained his choice to team reporter John Boyle: “The biggest thing for me is knowing what I’m getting into coming to work every day. This is a pristine organization that allows me to be myself. You’re going to win a lot of football games here. And then to have the staff and leadership that we have here, it’s second to none. So it was a no-brainer, and I’m happy to be locked in here for a good while to come.”

Hall’s deal is the fourth big extension from the 2022-23 draft classes — following contracts for Charles Cross, Abe Lucas and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Devon Witherspoon also is expected to get a megadeal this summer.

Once that happens, five of the eight Day1-2 picks in 2022 and 2023 will have gotten second contracts from Seattle. Kenneth Walker III and Mafe both left for bigger money this offseason. Zach Charbonnet is recovering from an ACL injury (we think he will end up staying on for a year or two as well).

The Hawks still have to figure out who else will be part of their defensive front next year and beyond.

In 2027, Leonard Williams, Uchenna Nwosu and Dante Fowler Jr. will be free agents. DeMarcus Lawrence might retire. Jarran Reed is a likely cap cut. So a lot of questions.

Ideally, Williams also gets extended for a couple of years. And Schneider still could make a trade this summer or during the season.

Seattle has 12 projected picks in next year’s draft, so Schneider surely will look to bolster the front some more via that method.

Bottom line: There is more to come for that part of the roster, but keeping Hall was a fortuitous move by the Hawks.