ESPN names Seattle Seahawks' biggest free agent decision

The NFL offseason is set up brilliantly and strategically. Hardly much time goes by when there is no new news from the league. After the Super Bowl ends in February, the free agency period starts in March, followed by the draft in April, followed by the NFL schedule release, then minicamps, and so on. As far as free agency is concerned, this might be an offseason like no other the Seattle Seahawks have had since 2010.

For the first time since that year, general manager John Schneider is in full control over roster decisions. If he wants to try to sign a player, he no longer has to go to former head coach Pete Carroll and ask permission. Schneider just has to make sure the Seahawks have enough money to sign a player and then try to do so.

One player Seattle might not have enough money to re-sign this offseason is defensive tackle Leonard Williams. ESPN says that Williams is the Seahawks' biggest free agent decision this offseason. The reason is two-fold.

Seattle Seahawks will need to find the money to re-sign Leonard Williams

One is that Seattle gave a second-round choice to the New York Giants during the 2023 season in order to get Williams. While the Seahawks have had a great amount of fairly high draft picks in the last couple of years, that is not the case in the 2024 NFL draft. Seattle has a first-round choice and then not another currently until the third round. Giving up a second-round selection and also losing Williams in free agency would be rough.

Williams was also a magnificent player after coming to Seattle. From Week 9 on (nine games), Williams had 32 total pressures, 4 sacks, 21 run stuffs, and he did not miss a tackle from Week 11 through 17. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) gave Williams a very good grade of 78.4 during his time in Seattle with good grades in both run defense and pass rush.

Seattle does not have enough money to re-sign Williams right now. Factoring in paying the 2024 draft picks, Seattle has no money. The team will likely release players such as Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs and create space. Williams, though, will likely want around $18 million a season. He is worth that, but the Seahawks might not be able to pay it.

Read more from 12th Man Rising