Finally, eight-and-a-half hours into the first day of the NFL free agency period, the Seahawks made their big splash, getting an agreement done with defensive lineman Leonard Williams.
Several outlets first reported that the deal is expected to get done, including The Bleacher Report, ESPN and the NFL Network.
The NFL Network reported that Williams has agreed to a three-year deal at an average of $21.5 million per season.
That would make Williams the highest-paid defensive player on a per-year average in Seahawks history.
The Seahawks acquired Williams last October in a grade with the New York Giants, giving up a 2024 second-round pick and 2025 fifth-rounder in return.
Williams played 10 games for the Seahawks last season and finished with a career high pass-rush grade, via Pro Football Focus.
Seahawks president of football operations John Schneider said on his radio show on Seattle Sports 710 last Thursday that re-signing Williams was “a priority’’ and that the team had been in negotiations with him already.
Schneider acknowledged that what the Seahawks gave up for Williams would influence the team’s efforts to keep him.
“We went for it,’’ Schneider said of the trade. “Thought he was going to help change our defense. He played well. Unfortunately we didn’t make the playoffs. But he’s a guy we would like to keep in the mix. … he likes it here. We had a great exit interview with him (after the season) and we hope to retain him.’’
Williams, 29, was a first-round pick of the Jets out of USC in 2015, taken fifth overall.