Seahawks Free Agency: Will Seattle Pay Up to Re-Sign Leonard Williams?

While he may not be poised to earn top-10 defensive tackle money, Leonard Williams won't be cheap to re-sign, creating questions about whether the cap-strapped Seattle Seahawks will be able to afford bringing him back after trading for him in October.

On the heels of a disappointing 9-8 season that ended without a playoff berth and the departure of long-time coach Pete Carroll, the Seattle Seahawks have plenty of roster questions to address heading into a crucial offseason with a new regime in place.

When the new league year opens on March 13, Seattle will have 14 players scheduled to hit the market as unrestricted free agents. Four players will be restricted free agents and five will be exclusive rights free agents, while several other key veterans such as Pro Bowl safety Julian Love will be entering the final season of their respective deals ready to negotiate extensions.

Over the next several weeks, I will break down each and every one of the Seahawks' unrestricted free agents by revisiting their 2023 seasons, assessing why they should or should not be re-signed, breaking down an ideal contract, and making an early prediction on whether or not the player will return in 2024.

Viewed as a top priority to re-sign after coming to the Pacific Northwest as part of a blockbuster deadline deal, will the Seahawks be willing to pay the price to lock up Leonard Williams long term?

Season in Review

Acquired before the trade deadline from the Giants by the Seahawks in exchange for a second and fifth-round draft choice, Williams immediately stepped into the starting lineup and gave his new team a boost in the trenches. Becoming the first player since the 1930s to play in 18 regular season games in the process, he tallied 41 tackles, four sacks, and nine tackles for loss in only 10 games in Seattle, playing up to expectations following the trade despite the rest of the defense seemingly crumbling around him down the stretch.

Why Seattle Should Re-Sign Him

Even with nine seasons in the league under his belt, "Big Cat" is still a relatively young player at his position, has been quite durable throughout his career, and will turn 30 years old in June, suggesting he has several quality seasons left in him. On the field, he remains a disruptive force against both the pass and the run, as he finished 13th among defensive tackles in pressures (54), 15th in quarterback hits (11), and 16th in total stops for the season.

Making an immediate impact upon arrival, Williams ranked in the top 15 among defensive tackles in sacks, pressures, and quarterback hits after joining the Seahawks in late October / © Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Per ESPN metrics, Williams also ranked 19th among qualified defensive tackles with an 11 percent Pass Rush Win rate, stacking up favorably with high-priced stars such as Commanders defender Jonathan Allen and Titans star Jeffery Simmons. He was especially dominant after coming to Seattle, finishing 10th in pressures, 14th in sacks, and ninth in quarterback hits from Week 9 on, playing his best football following the trade and looking rejuvenated in his new surroundings.

Why Seattle Should Let Him Walk

While sacks don't and shouldn't paint the entire picture for the productivity of a defensive tackle, Williams has just three seasons in his career with six or more sacks and has seen a steady decline in that category over the past few years. Along with an uptick in missed tackles, he also has only contributed one swatted pass and one forced fumble in the past two seasons combined, failing to pitch in with other impact plays away from sacks and tackles for loss. Given his likely financial demands seeking top-10 or top-15 money as a defensive tackle, the Seahawks and any other potential buyer may be deterred by the fact he already has played in 142 regular season games and has far more tread on his tires than most players his age.

Ideal Contract

Three years, $47 million

Prediction

After giving up a second-round pick as part of the package to acquire him, the Seahawks reportedly have already entered extension talks with Williams hoping to avoid him being a high-priced rental. But this could potentially be a tricky negotiation for a couple of reasons. For one, it remains to be seen how Macdonald views him fitting into his scheme, which could impact his perceived value. Second, he's coming off a three-year contract that paid out north of $20 million per year, a price point the organization likely won't want to approach considering his age and previous workload. 

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However, the two sides look to have mutual interest in striking a new deal and Williams certainly earned a new contract with a strong second half audition after the trade. Combining his on-field productivity with his excellent locker room presence and leadership skills, it seems probable Seattle and the talented veteran will reach an agreement before free agency opens to keep him as a cornerstone of the defensive line for the next three or four years.