Not long after the Seahawks had completed a dominant Super Bowl victory, Leonard Williams sat in front of a microphone, bottle of champagne on the floor next to him and ski goggles on top of his head.
Following his 11th season in the NFL, and his third with the Seahawks, Williams had, for the first time, become a Super Bowl champion, and before he rejoined the celebration in the locker room, he allowed himself a moment to reflect on the journey that took him from the Jets to the Giants to the Seahawks, through losing seasons and trades and injury, to becoming a champion.
"The journey means a lot," Williams said during his Super Bowl postgame press conference. "It's what means this moment feel so special… It's been beautiful, it's been a dream this year."
As he prepares for his 12th season, Williams will continue his NFL journey, building on that beautiful dream while knowing his future in Seattle is secure after signing a multi-year extension with the Seahawks on Thursday.
"It means so much to me," Williams said moments after signing, five-month-old son, Zion, in his arms. "When I first signed here with John (Schneider) and Coach Mike (Macdonald)'s first year, we had a vision for the team, and I feel like we still have a lot more to accomplish. I'm glad I'm able to be a part of what we're going to do moving forward. I'm glad that I have respect and appreciation from the whole organization for them to want me to continue my career here."
Prior to the team's trip to Kansas City for its preseason finale, Macdonald said, "We couldn't be more excited to get the deal done. He's a foundational player to our club from when we got here. I feel like a broken record with this thing, but he's all the things—obviously a tremendous, All-Pro caliber player, the type of person he is, an absolute A-plus person, teammate, the day-to-day. How much he's invested into our team and his teammates. I'm really, really excited to have it happen. It's really great news… It's a great deal for everybody, and we're excited to make it happen."
Williams turned 32 this offseason and has played 11 seasons since being selected No. 6 overall in the 2015 draft, but he has shown no signs of slowing down since joining the Seahawks in a 2023 trade that will go down as one of the best trades in franchise history. If anything, Williams seems to be getting better with age, having recorded 22.0 sacks, 167 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 61 quarterback hits, five passes defensed and one interception that he returned 92 yards for a score in two-and-a-half seasons with the Seahawks.
Williams has been a Pro-Bowl selection in each of the past two seasons, as well as a second-team All-Pro pick last season. He also was No. 1 in ESPN's recent rankings of interior linemen, which was determined by a survey of NFL coaches and executives. Based off Pro Football Reference's approximate value, a number that attempts to attach a value to every player's season each year, Williams' last two seasons have been the most valuable two of his career, including an AV of 17 last year that was tied for the best on the team with linebacker Ernest Jones IV.
"He means everything to this defense," 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."
Check out the best photos of Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams from the 2025 season.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the New Orleans Saints in Week 3.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the New Orleans Saints in Week 3.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the New Orleans Saints in Week 3.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Houston Texans in Week 7.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Houston Texans in Week 7.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Tennessee Titans in Week 12.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Tennessee Titans in Week 12.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Tennessee Titans in Week 12.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Atlanta Falcons in Week 14.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Carolina Panthers in Week 17.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Carolina Panthers in Week 17.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) vs. the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Super Bowl LX parade.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) at the Super Bowl LX parade.
