What a difference a week makes, right? After another beatdown by the San Francisco 49ers in Week 14, the Seattle Seahawks season seemed increasingly lost. But thanks to a shocking victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15, the sun seems brighter, the air smells better, and the world overall is simply a better place to be.
But what about beyond 2023? The Seahawks currently have just $2,032,860 in cap room in 2024. That is not very much for a team with a young roster that is also not overpaying for a quarterback. A couple of positions currently taking up the most cap room are also a couple of the more underperforming positions. The safeties have been a mess for most of this year and a good performance in Week 15 doesn't change that.
But let's be positive in this article. The team is 7-7 so maybe we should even be mid. Instead of the negativity, let's talk about three free agents who may have already earned roster spots for Seattle next year.
DT Leonard Williams has earned his 2024 roster spot
Seattle added Leonard Williams at the trade deadline this year and while the team has gone south since the move was made, none of that is Williams' fault. He was expected to give the Seahawks a huge presence along the defensive line and be a player who could help stop the run while getting consistent pressure from the interior of the line. Williams has done all that.
In seven games for Seattle, Williams has 23 total pressures, including 3 sacks, 15 quarterback hurries, and 5 quarterback hits. He also has not missed a tackle attempt in five games. For much of the game against Philadelphia. the Eagles excellent offensive line had trouble containing Williams. He has been Seattle's defensive lineman since he was traded to Seattle and it hasn't been close.
Part of the trade of Williams to Seattle, however, was not working out a contract extension. He was set to be a free agent before the trade and an impending free agent Williams remains. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Williams is projected to get a contract worth $51.75 million over three years with $37.25 million guaranteed from some team and that should be the Seahawks. Sure, he is 30 years old but he is playing like he is 25 and Seattle needs to make re-signing him a priority.