Seahawks Signing 'Most Important' Leonard Williams To Monster $90 Million Contract Extension

Back in 2023, the Seattle Seahawks traded a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to the New York Giants for Leonard Williams. 

That pick, No. 47 overall, became Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin. 

Meanwhile, Williams became a Super Bowl champion and perhaps the most important player to Seattle's second-ever title. 

And now he's going to get paid that way.

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the coming contract extension is for three years and $90 million.

This follows up an assertive series of offseason in-house signings, with Seattle making receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon the highest-paid players at their positions.

In Williams' case? He is now tied with Tampa Bay's Vita Vea for the fifth-highest APY among defensive tackles, ranking behind only Philadelphia's Jalen Carter, Dallas' Quinnen Williams, Tennessee's Jeffery Simmons and Kansas City's Chris Jones.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently published a list of the 10 best defensive tackles based on votes cast by league executives, coaches and scouts. 

Unsurprisingly, after earning his ring, Williams checked in at the top spot. 

"He was the most important player on that Super Bowl team," said an anonymous coordinator. "He's the total package."

Williams' first time being named in the top five of the annual list comes following an All-Pro Second Team season by the 32-year-old that saw him post seven sacks, nine tackles for loss and an interception. 

Oh ... and of course, a Super Bowl victory. 

Seattle's defensive line dominated the New England Patriots at the line of scrimmage, and while Williams' individual stats weren't anything crazy, the impact he created for his teammates was invaluable. 

"You can line him up in front of the right tackle, the right guard, the center, the left guard, the left tackle -- he can beat them all," a NFC defensive coach told Fowler. "He's always had game-changing ability, and he's putting it all together now. And those around him are making plays because of it too."

Since the beginning of the 2020s, the NFL has undergone a bit of a shift.

Elite edge rushers still command massive contracts and headline Defensive Player of the Year conversations, but recent history suggests the quickest path to a Lombardi Trophy may actually run through the middle of the defensive line.

Look at every Super Bowl champion of the last six years.

Tampa Bay had Ndamukong Suh and Vita Vea.

Los Angeles had Aaron Donald.

Kansas City had Chris Jones.

Philadelphia had Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis.

... and then Seattle had Williams.

These big-bodied interior disruptors seem to be the new key to success because they open everything up for the rest of the defense. Collapse the pocket from the inside, and edge rushers get cleaner paths to the quarterback; linebackers stay clean, and opposing offenses lose the ability to simply step up in the pocket.

Luckily for the Seahawks, the league believes they have the best defensive tackle in football in Williams, which is sure to help keep Seattle's championship window open as long as this blueprint continues to lead to title success.