The Seattle Seahawks agreed to terms with Leonard Williams hours into the NFL’s legal tampering period, on the heels of acquiring the Pro Bowl defensive lineman in a midseason trade with the New York Giants.
Williams produced 41 total tackles with four sacks, nine tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits through ten games with the Seahawks last season.
“The thing that stands out about Leonard,” an NFC Defensive Coach told FanBuzz when the Seattle Seahawks pulled off a blockbuster trade to add Wiliams. “Is he’s a great athlete for a big man.”
Originally chosen by the New York Jets with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Williams has developed into a steady interior pass-rush presence throughout his career. Logging 43.5 career sacks with 261 total tackles, it’s easy to see why the Seattle Seahawks made a strong financial commitment to keep Williams in place along their defensive line.
Leonard Williams’ Seattle Seahawks Contract Details Revealed
Before free agency began, Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider telegraphed the team’s desire to lock Williams up on a long-term deal.
“We’re gonna try to get him back. We’d love to have him back,” Schneider said about Williams on Thursday’s edition of Seattle Sports’ “Wyman and Bob.” “He’s definitely a priority for us. We’re in the negotiations right now, and the agents know how we feel, and so we’re trying to retain him, no doubt.”
According to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, Williams intends to sign a three-year contract worth $64.5 million with the Seahawks that includes $43.85 fully guaranteed.
Williams’ new deal makes the Seattle Seahawks’ defensive end the ninth-highest-paid player at the position across the NFL. The Seahawks clearly view Williams as a core player along the front seven.
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