Seahawks focus internally, address key positional needs

In 10 games with the Seahawks in 2023, the one-time Pro Bowl DT recorded 41 tackles, 11 QB hits, nine tackles for loss and four sacks.

Seattle traded for the former sixth-overall pick in the middle of last season to bolster up a struggling defense (30th overall) and will soon secure Williams for the next three years with his biggest payday, making him the centerpiece of Mike Macdonald's new defense.

With linebacker Jordyn Brooks agreeing to terms with the Miami Dolphins and the recent releases of safety Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs, the defense presumably became Seattle's main focus heading to free agency and an early agreement with Williams reflected that. 

Though Seattle has not landed any agreements outside its organization, the team is locking down major positional needs and an agreement with Fant continued that trend on Day 1 of the NFL's negotiating period.

Fant agreed on a two-year, $21 million deal that will keep him in the Emerald City, per Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz.

In 2023, despite starting all 17 games and recording a career-high in yards per catch (12.9) and yards per target (9.6), Fant saw career-lows in snap percentage (55%), targets (43), catches (32), yards (414) and touchdowns (zero). However, he was placed in an offense that utilized all three tight ends, which didn't allow Fant to exercise his full potential.

As it stands, Fant is the only notable tight end on Seattle's roster as Will Dissly agreed to join John Harbaugh's Los Angeles Chargers and Colby Parkinson landed an agreement with the other L.A. team, the Rams. That leaves Fant to lead the Seahawks' TE room in a new-look offense managed by first-year NFL offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.

Barring any setbacks, Fant and Williams will soon be officially re-signed once allowed on Wednesday, but holes still remain.

With offensive guard Damien Lewis agreeing on a contract with the Carolina Panthers, Seattle loses one of its best linemen and will soon be on the hunt to find a replacement. 

Defensively, both safety slots should be considered. Jeremy Chinn and Micah Hyde could be cheap, reliable options to complete the back-end. For the front seven, Patrick Queen still remains a top option that could bandage the loss of Brooks.

John Schneider and the Seahawks still have a lot of work to do to build a competing roster, but addressing positions of need early is a huge step in the right direction.