Tag: Leonard Williams

Seahawks restructure Leonard Williams’ contract, free up cap space

Seahawks restructure Leonard Williams’ contract, free up cap space

One of the many challenges the Seattle Seahawks face this offseason is finding a way to create more salary cap space. Seattle has been on the lower end of the league when it comes to active cap space, but on Thursday morning, they made a move to help alleviate some of the stress. The Seahawks restructured the contract of star defensive lineman Leonard Williams.

The Seahawks granted Leonard Williams a three-year, $64.5 million contract last offseason, and he did more than enough in 2024 to show Seattle a significant return on investment. Williams recorded 11 sacks across 16 games, becoming the first Seahawk to have double-digit sacks since 2018. His efforts earned him his second career Pro Bowl nod.

According to Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap, this salary restructure converts $18.745 million in salary into a bonus, reducing his 2025 cap number from $29.1 million to $14.06 million.

Unfortunately, the Seahawks will still have more work to do at fixing their salary cap. Even with freeing up $14 million with this move, Seattle is still projected to be $14 million over the current cap for 2025. As it stands, the top four cap hits to the Seahawks in 2025 are:

  • Geno Smith – $44.9 million ($31 million dead cap)
  • DK Metcalf – $31.8 million ($10.8 million dead cap)
  • Tyler Lockett – $30.8 million ($17 million dead cap)
  • Dre’Mont Jones – $25.6 million ($11.5 million dead cap)

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Pro Bowlers discuss Seahawks DL Leonard Williams’ pick-six

Pro Bowlers discuss Seahawks DL Leonard Williams’ pick-six

Perhaps the single greatest play from the 2024 Seattle Seahawks was defensive lineman Leonard Williams’ pick-six against the New York Jets. Seattle was trailing 21-7 and the Jets were knocking on the door of blowing them out, putting them in a hole too deep to climb out from. But then came Williams, heroically snagging the ball away from Aaron Rodgers and getting the Seahawks back on the board.

From there, Seattle’s defense pitched a shutout against the Jets.

Side note, forgive the typo in the tweet. It was actually a 92-yard pick-six, but at the time it was reported it was 91. The 92 was an amendment later.

Of course, with such a massive play, especially coming from a lineman, it was bound to turn a few heads… especially from fellow Pro Bowlers. In Orlando, several Pro Bowlers – including teammates Devon Witherspoon and Jaxon Smith-Njigba – were asked just how fast do they think Big Cat got on his impressive run. From what you will see below, he is held in high regard among his peers.

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Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba is headed to the Pro Bowl!

Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba is headed to the Pro Bowl!

Congratulations are in order for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. On Tuesday morning it was revealed the second year star would be receiving his first trip to the Pro Bowl! JSN will be replacing Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin who has bowed out due to an injury.

JSN joins his fellow 2023 first round classmate Devon Witherspoon in the Pro Bowl, as well as defensive lineman Leonard Williams. Big Cat himself was announced as a Pro Bowler on Monday, replacing Philadelphia’s Jalen Carter.

JSN’s inclusion to the Pro Bowl this year keeps a shockingly impressive streak alive for the Seahawks. This is now the 14th consecutive year Seattle has had at least three representatives participating in… or named to… the Pro Bowl. The caveat here being the two Super Bowl years where no Seahawk participated as they were preparing for, well, you know, the Super Bowl.

The 2024 campaign was a breakout year for JSN, who set new career-best marks in every category. JSN hauled in 100 receptions (tying Tyler Lockett’s single-season franchise reception record) for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns. His emergence reminded everyone why the Seahawks made him the first wide receiver selected in the 2023 NFL draft.

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Seahawks DE Leonard Williams named to the Pro Bowl

Seahawks DE Leonard Williams named to the Pro Bowl

A sense of restorative justice is sweeping through the hearts of the 12th Man this Monday morning. It has been announced that Seattle Seahawks star defensive lineman Leonard Williams has been officially named to the Pro Bowl. Williams had a spectacular season and was widely regarded as perhaps the biggest “snub” from the Pro Bowl this year. However, he was named as an alternate, and now he will get his opportunity!

With the Philadelphia Eagles advancing to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, obviously all Eagles who were Pro Bowlers will not be attending. Such is the case for Philly defensive lineman Jalen Carter, who Williams will be replacing.

Of course, one cannot help but overlook the irony of Williams taking Carter’s spot – a player many expected the Seahawks to select during the 2023 NFL draft. Instead, Seattle chose Devon Witherspoon, and Carter fell to the Philadelphia Eagles. While Carter has been an absolute terror this postseason for Philly, had Seattle picked him they would not have Williams or Witherspoon anchoring their defense.

Williams became the first Seahawk defensive lineman to have double-digit sacks since Frank Clark did so during the 2018 season. Big Cat finished the season with 64 total tackles (16 of which were for a loss), 11 sacks, and one pick-six… which went for 92 yards, the longest by a defensive lineman in NFL history.

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Seahawks DL Leonard Williams comments on Pro Bowl snub

Seahawks DL Leonard Williams comments on Pro Bowl snub

Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams leads all interior defenders in the NFL in sacks with nine quarterback takedowns. In Sunday’s Week 18 regular-season finale versus the Los Angeles Rams, he’ll attempt to become the first Seahawk to reach double digits in sacks since 2018. Despite that, Williams was not voted as a primary participant in the 2025 Pro Bowl Games, with the full rosters being released earlier this week.

Devon Witherspoon was the lone Seahawk voted to the main Pro Bowl roster. Elsewhere, Julian Love and Coby Bryant finished in the top 10 of voting among their position group. As for Williams, he finished behind Jalen Carter, Dexter Lawrence, and Vita Vea, who are scheduled to represent the NFC at defensive tackle.

Williams commented on the snub.

“I mean honestly, I don’t care at this point,” Williams told local reporters. “It’s possible [I’ll go as an alternate] because the Eagles are going to the playoffs and Dexter [Lawrence] is hurt. But to be honest, it’s frustrating to be an alternate,” Williams concluded.

Williams was dominant for Macdonald’s defense throughout this campaign. Perhaps Seattle’s failure to qualify for the postseason hindered his chances of gaining national recognition. Williams will likely be at the Pro Bowl, and he’ll deserve to be there once he’s officially named.

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3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks defense vs. Rams in Week 18

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks defense vs. Rams in Week 18

The Seattle Seahawks will conclude their 2024 season against their NFC West rival Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in Week 18. Mike Macdonald’s defense will possess an opportunity to play against a Rams offense featuring mostly backups. Starting quarterback Matthew Stafford is among the starters expected to rest for the postseason. With that in mind, we’ve compiled three bold predictions for the defense.

Leonard Williams reaches 10 sacks

Dominant defensive linemen Leonard Williams has recorded a team-high nine sacks to date. The Seahawks haven’t had a double-digit sack artist since 2018. Williams will end that drought with one more quarterback takedown. He’ll be hunting backup Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo all afternoon long.

Jimmy Garoppolo is intercepted twice

Speaking of Garoppolo, he’s a turnover-prone quarterback. The veteran will also be rusty entering Sunday, making his first start of the campaign. That’s a bad combination. Look for Macdonald’s opportunistic defense to take advantage of his eagerness. Devon Witherspoon and Coby Bryant could celebrate their Pro Bowl success by intercepting Garoppolo.

Rams are held to one touchdown

Sean McVay’s offense will likely struggle with reserves at the helm of most positions. Seattle’s defense improved drastically as the campaign progressed forward, with contributors like Ernest Jones IV leading the way. The Rams shouldn’t score more than one touchdown against a hungry Seahawks defense anxious to conclude the campaign on the appropriate note.

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3 Seahawks finish in Top 10 Pro Bowl voting among their positions

3 Seahawks finish in Top 10 Pro Bowl voting among their positions

The Seattle Seahawks have three players among the top 10 at their position in Pro Bowl voting by the fans. Voting for the 2025 Pro Bowl officially concluded on December 23. Mike Macdonald’s squad will conclude their campaign against the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday’s Week 18 finale.

The following Seahawks fared favorably in Pro Bowl voting:

Leonard Williams | 4th overall, 2nd in NFC

Defensive tackle Leonard Williams has been downright dominant this season. The veteran linemen has posted a team-leading 9.0 sacks and is one quarterback takedown away from breaking a five-year Seahawks drought of having a double-digit sack artist. Williams deserves his Pro Bowl nod.

Julian Love | 9th overall, 6th in NFC

Julian Love continued being a workhorse for the Seahawks defense this season. He’s posted a team-leading 103 tackles through Week 17, securing his third consecutive campaign with 100-plus tackles. Love finished sixth among safety voting in the NFC. The versatile defensive back deserves all of the accolades he receives.

Coby Bryant | 10th overall, 7th in NFC

Injuries catapulted Coby Bryant into a starting lineup role in Week 7. The former Cincinnati standout had been relegated to a deep rotational role before that. When Bryant’s opportunity arrived, he seized it with maximum effort. The corner-turned-safety recorded three interceptions, including a pick-six touchdown, and six total pass breakups.

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Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Bears on defense in Week 17

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Bears on defense in Week 17

The Seattle Seahawks relied on their dominant defense in Thursday’s 6-3 Week 17 victory over the Chicago Bears. While Geno Smith and the offense struggled to move the football, Mike Macdonald’s defense limited the Bears to three points and a pathetic 179 total yards of offense. Having analyzed the impressive performance in terrific detail, Pro Football Focus graded these three Seahawks defenders as their best performers.

Leonard Williams | 81.2

Leonard Williams had a field day with the underperforming interior of the Bears’ offensive line. The veteran alignment-versatile defensive lineman totaled six pressures, one off his season-high, and also enjoyed his fourth multi-sack game of the campaign, sacking Caleb Williams twice. Williams has been Seattle’s best defensive player this season.

Tyrice Knight | 77.3

The Seahawks used rookie linebacker Tyrice Knight as an occasional pass rusher to great success versus the Bears. The former UTEP standout helped overwhelm the line of scrimmage by accumulating four quarterback pressures. Knight also totaled six tackles and was fantastic in coverage, too, allowing just two receptions for minimal gains.

Boye Mafe | 74.0

Boye Mafe was another Seahawks front-seven defender that put forth a quality showing. The third-year second-round pick had three pressures, all classified as hurries. Mafe didn’t record any of Seattle’s seven sacks, but he routinely made the inexperienced Williams uncomfortable in the pocket.

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2 Seahawks defenders closing in on ending 5-year team drought

2 Seahawks defenders closing in on ending 5-year team drought

The Seattle Seahawks put forth a dominant performance against the Chicago Bears in Thursday’s 6-3 Week 17 victory, clinching a winning season in 2024. The Bears were limited to 179 total yards of offense. Their rookie quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 122 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. Williams was also sacked on seven occasions by a haunting Seahawks defense. Mike Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde routinely overwhelmed the line of scrimmage and Chicago’s lackluster offensive line.

And with that triumph, two Seahawks defenders inched nearer to ending a five-year drought. Leonard Williams was his usual dominant self, recording two sacks. Sophomore EDGE Derick Hall also accumulated a quarterback takedown. Williams now has a team-high 9.0 sacks this season, and Hall isn’t far behind, with 8.0.

The Seahawks haven’t had a double-digit sack artist since 2018, when both Frank Clark (14.0) and Jarran Reed (10.5) achieved that feat. Williams and Hall could end that drought against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18, a game everyone hopes will decide the NFC West.

Williams recorded his ninth sack after Dugar’s tweet. The veteran defensive linemen is extremely likely to reach 10 sacks against the Rams next weekend. Hall would require two sacks, making it possible, but a little less likely.

Boye Mafe (9.0), Darrell Taylor/Uchenna Nwosu (9.5), Carlos Dunlap (8.5), Jamal Adams (9.5), and Rasheem Green (4.0) led the Seahawks in sacks over the previous five campaigns. As you can see, most of them came painfully close to double-digit sacks while falling just short. Williams and Hall possess legitimate opportunities to end this five-year drought next Sunday.

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3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks defense vs. Bears in Week 17

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks defense vs. Bears in Week 17

The Seattle Seahawks may require a victory versus the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football to keep their postseason dreams alive. Unlike their previous two matchups, the Seahawks are considered heavy favorites against a lackluster Bears squad. We’ve compiled three bold predictions for Mike Macdonald’s defense.

Seahawks force 3 turnovers

The Seahawks did not force a single turnover in their Week 16 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings. Jarran Reed did record a strip-sack, but the Vikings recovered. Meanwhile the Bears committed two turnovers in their latest outing. Look for Macdonald’s opportunistic defense to tempt the Bears into multiple turnovers.

Leonard Williams dominates

The Bears’ offensive line is a disastrous unit. Left tackle Braxton Jones was one of their more effective blockers, but recently suffered a season-ending injury. The interior has especially struggled to protect rookie quarterback Caleb Williams this season. Leonard Williams is capable of dominating Chicago’s guards and centers alike. Look for the veteran Williams to gain constant entry into Chicago’s backfield.

Bears are held to 17 or fewer points

The Bears are averaging a 26th-ranked 18.9 points per contest. Interim head coach and offensive play caller Thomas Brown has not improved the offense since replacing Matt Eberflus and Shane Waldron. The Bears have scored 17 points or fewer in three consecutive contests. Seattle’s scoring defense should take advantage of this bounce-back spot.

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