Winning a championship can drastically alter a player's perception for the better, as Leonard Williams appears to be experiencing firsthand. The Seattle Seahawks star has officially entered a new stratosphere, with many around the NFL taking notice.
There's no denying that Williams has hit another gear since landing with the Seahawks via trade in 2023. His versatility has been on full display and has truly been a game-changer, culminating in a dominant 2025 title run. He was instrumental in bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to the Emerald City, evidenced by being listed as ESPN's top-ranked defensive tackle for 2026.
Keep in mind that the results aren't just an analyst's opinion either. They're based on "surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts," among other factors. One unnamed source even went as far as making a boldly lofty declaration:
"[Williams] was the most important player on that Super Bowl team," an NFL coordinator said, via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. "He's the total package."
Leonard Williams' rise reaches another level that even surprised Seahawks fans
Hello! Williams standing out as Seattle's keystone is certainly noteworthy, considering their squad was (and is) littered with premium talent on both sides of the ball.
First and foremost, Williams, aka "Big Cat," and Seattle have a ring to show for his outstanding efforts. He and the club achieved the ultimate goal — case closed.
Nevertheless, Williams has also clearly earned the respect of his peers along the way to reaching the mountaintop. The 32-year-old is aging like the finest wine and still improving, jumping from sixth in last season's rankings to first now. He's developed a strong reputation, specifically since linking up with Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, and deservedly so.
Seattle employs the reigning Offensive Player of the Year in wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Running back Kenneth Walker III marched his way to Super Bowl LX MVP honors. Linebacker Ernest Jones and cornerback Devon Witherspoon joined Williams on the All-Pro Second Team this past campaign.
How those in the industry view Williams speaks to his ascension with the Seahawks. He's blossomed into an unstoppable force who rushes the passer and stops the run at a high level. His all-around contributions are a huge part of what makes their defense arguably the most daunting unit in football.
It's been a full-circle career of sorts for Williams. He came into the pros as a blue-chip prospect, lived up to the hype early before a brief regression, and has since rediscovered himself. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2015 draft's awesome redemption story has reached its apex in Seattle, though.
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