The Seattle Seahawks were able to win ten games last season; however, they came up just short of a postseason appearance after losing an NFC West tiebreaker with the Los Angeles Rams. While there was plenty of turnover on the offensive side of the ball, the defense will remain largely the same, as the eight leaders in snaps played are all returning to Seattle.
The unit was largely productive in 2024, ranking 11th in scoring defense and 14th in total yards allowed. The interior defensive line, which was led by Pro Bowler Leonard Williams and Jarran Reed, was a major part of the Seahawks' success.
Seattle enters the 2025 season with plenty of top-tier talent and depth across the interior defensive line. A recent report identified the unit as the best in the NFL.
Seahawks interior defensive line named as best in the league
Seattle has 11 interior defensive linemen competing for a roster spot in training camp. The group is so deep that players who have exceeded expectations may not even make the final 53-man roster.
Additionally, Williams has proven that he is among the top interior defensive linemen in the league as he led the position with 11.0 sacks in 2024. Mike Clay of ESPN ranked the unit as the best in the NFL ahead of the final week of the preseason, writing:
"A contender for this honor one year ago, the Seahawks remain stacked up front with Leonard Williams leading the way. Williams is still playing at a superstar level at 31, as he led all interior linemen with 11 sacks and ranked fourth with 35 pass rush wins last season. Jarran Reed (4.5 sacks in 2024) and Johnathan Hankins are also back. And 2024 first-round pick Byron Murphy II is a candidate for a second-year leap after a solid rookie showing."
While Williams, Reed, and Murphy II figure to retain their starting roles, Seattle has plenty of depth behind the trio. Hankins is a veteran entering his 13th season and, while he has spent all of training camp on the non-football injury list, he will provide the Seahawks with solid depth when he returns.
Furthermore, young players such as Brandon Pili, Mike Morris, and Quinton Bohanna have all shown flashes during training camp. Seattle also drafted Rylie Mills in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft; however, he is also on the non-football injury list.
While they will not be able to roster that many interior defensive linemen when the season begins, the injuries to Hankins and Mills could open the door for someone like Bohanna to get an extended look. It is no surprise the Seahawks ranked atop the list; however, their combination of talent and depth has the potential to dominate opposing offensive lines.