As market-resetting deals for Jalen Carter and Quinnen Williams loom, Seattle faces a financial tightrope to retain Leonard Williams and anchor their championship-caliber "Dark Side" defense.
The Seattle Seahawks changed the trajectory of their franchise when they decided to trade for Leonard Williams in October 2023.
Just three years later, Williams would become the foundational piece of Seattle's "Dark Side" defense that resulted in the franchise's second Super Bowl title before being voted the best interior defensive lineman in the sport.
Soon, the Seahawks will need to extend Williams ... and talks of a new deal have already taken place.
"There's been a few conversations," Williams said via ESPN. "But nothing set in stone."
Seattle's brass has also reportedly been negotiating with star cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who could become the NFL's highest-paid defensive back unless Christian Gonzalez signs a larger deal with the New England Patriots afterward.
Should the Seahawks lock up Williams and Witherspoon long-term, they'll likely be investing between $60 and $70 million between the two for the next two to three seasons.
That's quite the commitment. We've already covered what Witherspoon's looming extension will look like ... but based on what other defensive tackles are receiving ... Williams' deal could be a lot more complicated.
And two of the biggest names in the NFC East may end up being why.
The Philadelphia Eagles just made Jalen Carter the highest-paid DT in the sport, agreeing to a four-year, $152 million extension, surpassing the previous record held by Jeffrey Simmons of the Tennessee Titans.
Carter received nearly $3 million more than Simmons in average annual value (AAV), setting a new market precedent.
But Philly's archrival may soon have an impact on Seattle's negotiations with Williams, too.
Quinnen Williams is due $46.15 million from the Dallas Cowboys in remaining base salary before he's slated to hit the free agent market in March of 2028, but the franchise has already discussed a potential extension with the former All-Pro.
"Absolutely. We are very open to that," Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said. "We want Quinnen here for the long haul."
Jones added that there have been talks between Williams and the organization regarding a new deal.
For context, on the same list that the Seahawks' star was voted atop, Philadelphia's and Dallas' landed at Nos. 3 and 6, respectively.
So ... if Carter got $38 million AAV ... it's safe to assume the Cowboys' Williams will at least come close to that.
And if the Seahawks treat their Williams like he is the best at his position in the league, his new deal could hypothetically surpass both.
That's why, just like Witherspoon's situation with Gonzalez, Seattle will be far better off getting Williams signed and sealed before another team pays their DT, thus increasing the price even further.
