SEATTLE — Even after a win Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, the Seahawks elected to address one of the team's most significant personnel needs.
Seattle acquired former Pro Bowl defensive lineman Leonard Williams in a trade with the New York Giants on Monday, the Seahawks announced Monday afternoon.
The Seahawks are sending back a 2024 second-round draft pick and a 2025 fifth-round draft pick in the trade.
Williams is in the final season of a three-year, $63 million contract. However, the Giants will be paying the majority of the remaining money for 2023 on Williams' deal, so the financial obligation for the Seahawks is not as steep as it could have been.
Who is Leonard Williams, reportedly the newest Seahawk?
Williams has had a lengthy career as a defensive lineman, as he is in his ninth NFL season. This trade would bring Williams back to the West Coast after almost a decade in the New York metropolitan area with the Giants and New York Jets.
The No. 6 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft out of USC, Williams was named to the Pro Bowl in just his second season. Over his career, Williams has racked up 39.5 sacks and 59 tackles for loss over 132 games.
Williams is tied for the 37th-best defensive lineman in the league per Pro Football Focus grades. However, he is ranked higher than any other Seahawk at the position so far in 2023.
The Seahawks added Frank Clark before the Week 8 comeback win, a signal that the front office feels like it needs more production and depth along the defensive line.
There's a very slight chance Williams could suit up for the Seahawks this upcoming week against the Baltimore Ravens on the road, but he more likely will make his debut with the team in Week 10 against the Washington Commanders at Lumen Field.