If patience is a virtue, then Leonard Williams is reaping the benefits. The All-Pro and 12-year veteran agreed to a three-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks that will make him one of the highest-paid defensive linemen in the NFL. Williams’ deal with the Seahawks is for three years, $90 million, with $32 million guaranteed. Williams entered the season in the last year of a three-year deal he signed in 2024, which paid him $64.5 million.
INTEGRAL PART OF A DOMINANT DEFENSE
Williams was a force and anchor of a Seahawks defensive line that set the tone for a defense that paved the way for a Seahawks Super Bowl win in 2025. The former New York first-round pick in 20215 started all 20 games last year and recorded seven sacks, putting him in a three-way tie with Byron Murphy and Uchenna Nwosu for sacks in 2025. The Seahawks acquired Williams in 2023 from the New York Giants, and he made an impact on and off the field.
Williams re-signed with the Seahawks in March after the season ended before putting pen to paper on his new contract, which ties with Tampa Bay’s Vita Vea for the fifth-highest average annual income for a defensive tackle. The top three defensive tackles are the Eagles’ Jalen Carter ($38 million), the Cowboys’ Quinnen Williams ($ 35.3 million), and the Titans’ Jeffrey Simmons ($35.25 million). During training camp, Williams was repeatedly asked about his contract situation with the team, and his answers remained consistent.
“I try not to think about it, honestly. I’ve always been that type of guy. I’ve had a lot of contracts at this point in my career, and I’ve always noticed players that focus on their contract end up not playing well. They end up having their head in the wrong place,” said Williams earlier this summer.” I’ve noticed that when I focus on being where I’m at, focusing on my team and how I can get better individually, things always tend to work themselves out.”
REWARDED FOR THIS PATIENCE
William continued to practice and each and every day with tenacity, consistency and determination. Thursday morning the team rewarded Williams commitment to himself and the Seahawks.
For head coach Mike Macdonald, Williams has been a consummate leader on and off the field, and the way he handled his contract situation was a prime example of his professionalism.
“It was a little funky this morning in terms of timing and everything. I’ll tell you what, we couldn’t be more excited to get the deal done. He’s a foundational player to our club from when we got here. I feel like a broken record with this thing, but obviously a tremendous All-Pro-caliber player. The type of person he is: an absolute A+ person, teammate, the day-to-day.
How much he’s invested in our team and his teammates,’ said head coach Mike Macdonald about Williams contract extension. I’m really excited for it to happen. It’s really great news. Understand he hasn’t signed yet; he’s going to sign here within the hour. Everybody is going to celebrate. It’s a great deal for everybody, and we’re excited to make it happen.”
KEEPING THE PILLARS AT HOME
Give credit to Schneider for taking care of his own. When players and coaches talk about culture, this is what it looks like. Williams is the fourth player to re-sign with the team since they won the Super Bowl. Jaxson Smith-Njigba: 4 years ($168.8 million), Devon Witherspoon: 4 years ($132 million), and Derick Hall: 3 years ($42 million) are the others.
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