In the most recent episode of HBO's 'Hard Knocks,' Leonard Williams tended to his family's garden while his wife, Hailey, held their infant son, Zion.
With Lake Washington in the background on a beautiful August day, Leonard and Hailey Williams reflected on his career journey, which most recently featured Williams and the Seahawks winning Super Bowl LX.
"Moving to Seattle has been a really beautiful experience for me and my wife," Williams said." said. "I got drafted to the East Coast, I was in a very hustle-bustle city in New York, and coming here after nine years of being in a city like that really just calmed my nervous system."
Added Hailey, "I think in different parts of his career, he's felt like, 'Is it time for me to retire?' When we were on the East Coast, there were moments of that, of just feeling like, 'Wow this is tough.' Since we've been here, both of us have just felt so comfortable and really found a home."
Earlier in training camp, Williams, who is heading into the final year of the contract he signed with the Seahawks in 2024, talked about a potential extension, noting there have been some talks between his representatives and the team. That would mean playing beyond this, his 12th season, and well into his 30s—Williams turned 32 earlier this summer—a pretty significant change from wondering, during his time with the Jets and Giants, if he was ready to call it quits after experiencing six losing seasons and just one playoff berth in his first eight seasons in the league before being traded to Seattle.
So what changed for Williams, who has earned Pro-Bowl honors each of the past two season as well as second-team All-Pro recognition last year? It was a move back to the West Coast for Williams, who spent the early part of his childhood in California, and who played at USC, as well as joining a team with a strong, winning culture, playing first for Pete Carroll in 2023, then for Mike Macdonald for the past two seasons.
"I just account that to your environment, your surroundings, the people you're around every day play a huge part in your individual success, team success, and just the love for the game as well," Williams said of his renewed love for football. "There was a time in my career when I was playing on the East Coast, and we were just going year after year with losing seasons, dealing with new coaching staffs, new culture every two or three years. I was also dealing with some injuries at the time. I was only like Year 8, and clearly had a lot left in the tank, but I was already like, 'Is this it for my career?' But obviously I kept pushing, I kept fighting, and eventually ended up here and turned it all around."
Williams said the change in his outlook happened "right away" after he arrived midway through the 2023 season.
"Even though we have a new coaching staff now than when I got traded here, it just lit a fire underneath me, kind of just restored my energy, my love for the game," Williams said. "Just being in a new environment in general just changed my perspective. Obviously when Mike got hired, it even heightened it because of his principles and things that he brought to the team."
And heading into his third full season, Williams has established himself not just as one of the most valuable players on his own team, but as one of the league's most dominant defensive linemen. In an annual survey of coaches, executives and scouts conducted by ESPN, Williams was voted the league's top interior defensive lineman, a recognition that shows, along with those Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods, that the rest of the NFL is finally recognizing just how special of a player the Seahawks have in the player know as "The Big Cat."
"He means everything to this defense," fellow defensive tackle Jarran Reed said. "He's the number one D-tackle in the league. He's the best guy, a really good person, a really great friend. I'm happy for him and excited to play with him."
Outside linebacker Derick Hall, who is headed into his fourth season, is one of many players on both sides of the ball that Williams has helped mentor, and is blown away "all the time" by what the 12th-year veteran shows in practice.
"That period before the last one we had the long-drive period, and we get all the way down the field, and Leo has been out there," Hall said after a recent training camp practice. "I'm talking about running and gassing. He just looks as fresh as ever. He shut down the last three plays of that period. I know it's what he does every day, but again, that just goes back to who he is. His fire, his desire to go out and play this game at the highest level, no matter the circumstances, and continue to show even young guys coming in, rookies, like, 'If I can do it in Year 12, you should be able to do it no problem.' Again, that just speaks to who Leo is and who he is as a player."
The Seahawks opened the week with a practice on Monday, August 10 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14), quarterback Drew Lock (2) and quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14), quarterback Drew Lock (2) and quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) and tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald with Seahawks Legend Richard Sherman at practice on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Maxen Hook (43) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (23) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (49) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Justin Jones (25) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) and wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) and wide receiver Rashad Rochelle (35) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back TJ Harden (30) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (33) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (17) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (27) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back TJ Harden (30) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety AJ Finley (30) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Amari Kight (79) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) and safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (17) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95), defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) and linebacker Jared Ivey (51) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (27) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Nick Vannett (83) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Michael Dansby (37) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
