By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

What Leonard Williams trade means for the Seahawks

The Seahawks ended their search for competitive depth on the defensive line by acquiring the Giant’s Leonard Williams. The Williams signing is less than a week after the Frank Clark signing. The season-ending pectoral muscle surgery to edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu had to figure in the Seahawk’s converted search for help along the defensive interior.

CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT

Williams at 6’5 300 pounds is a big man that can clog up the defensive interior. Give credit to general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete  Carroll for having the vision to go from good to great.  With 26 sacks which ranks 5th best in the league Schneider and Carroll knew that one more quality disruptor on the defense’s interior would put the team in a position to compete with the  Niners and other top-echelon teams.

“He can play anywhere. He can play five-technique, he can play three-technique and he plays on the center as well. He’s done all of that. He brings a lot of versatility. “ Said  Carroll during Monday’s press conference with local media.

GIANTS MOVING ON

For the Giants, the deal makes sense in that they get some draft capital for a player who they were not going to re-sign at the end of the season.  Williams is in the final year of  a three-year $63 million contract he signed in 2021. By moving the former  Pro Bowler the Giants received a 2024 second-round draft choice and a 2025 fifth-round selection. The  Giants also agreed to pay most of William’s yearly $18 million salary. The Seahawks will pay $647,000 of William’s salary.

BRINGING DEPTH AND COMPETITON

The addition of Williams to the interior mix will allow Jarran Reed and Dre Mont Jones to get some respite during games. Jones and Reed were playing the majority of the snaps. The former  Trojan was the sixth overall pick in the 2015 draft by the Jets and made the Pro Bowler in his second year in the league. In 2019 he was traded to the Giants and has steadily been one of the best interior linemen in the league. His versatility is what won the Seahawks over.

“I think he’s a little different. His style is a little different. He’s a classic three-technique, he’s been doing that for a long part of his career and he’s really good at it. He’s an all-around player, versatile, run and pass, he can rush the passer and can cause issues and problems for your opponent. He’s a terrific kid, he’s a leader and competitor and just the kind of guy you’re fortunate to have on your team.”

Pete Carroll on the verstility of WIlliams

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