In October, Seattle acquired Williams from the New York Giants via trade, bringing the ninth-year lineman west after spending his first eight-plus seasons with both New York teams (Giants, Jets). The USC alum recorded a sack in Seattle's 28-16 Week 14 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, his second consecutive game with a quarterback takedown. Since joining Seattle, Williams has recorded 3.0 sacks in six games after recording 1.5 in seven games with the Giants. Williams also has eight quarterback hits, four tackles for loss and 18 total tackles since joining the Seahawks.
Williams has found success recently despite seeing increased attention from opposing offensive lines. Per ESPN Analytics, Williams is currently tied for No.13 amongst defensive tackles in pass rush win rate (12%) despite being double-teamed on 58 percent of his plays.
With the Giants, Williams and his partner defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence wreaked havoc on opposing offensive lines. Williams recorded 22.5 sacks with the Giants, with Lawrence often taking on two defenders to free him for the takedown. In their time together, Lawrence was doubled 143 times, compared to 91 for Williams. Now in a different role in Seattle's defense, Williams continues to adapt to the extra attention and produce. And according to Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, Williams is coming off his best performance yet despite an ankle injury limiting him in practice.
"I thought he had his best game, and he didn't have a great week at practice, we had to hold him back a little bit because his ankle was still bothering him," Carroll said. "But he played the line of scrimmage really well, I think he had forced the quarterback maybe three or four times in the game, had a sack. If you look closely at the sack he was working so intricately with (Jarran) Reed to free him up on the sack, which often does help you get to the quarterback. It happened in perfect fashion, he's knocking the linemen off so J-Reed could get around, he winds getting free on the response. It's really been a joy having him, he's a great kid, he brings a lot of juice, he wants to play every play, killed him when he had to sit out of practice. He's got all of the good positive stuff that you hope a guy could have. I think you can see him settling in, he's becoming a real factor."
Leonard Williams was the sixth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the New York Jets where he played three and a half seasons before being traded to the New York Giants. Check out some of the best photos from Williams' career so far.
FOR WEEKEND USE - FILE - In this Aug. 21, 2015 file photo, New York Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams (62) celebrates with teammate Leger Douzable (78) after sacking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Sean Renfree (12) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, in East Rutherford, N.J. From the high-profile guys at the top of the draft, to the low-round gems and undrafted free agents, rookies have made a significant impact this season.(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) is pressured by New York Jets' Sheldon Richardson (91) and Leonard Williams (92) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2016, file photo, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) is sacked by New York Jets' Leonard Williams (92) and Muhammad Wilkerson (96) during the first half of an NFL football game, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Bengals were one of the best teams at protecting the quarterback the last few years. During a 2-3 start, they've been among the worst, with Andy Dalton under constant pressure. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)
FILE - In this Monday, Oct. 17, 2016 file photo, New York Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams (92) yells prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz. Leonard Williams is serious about tackling a leadership role with the New York Jets. So much so, the big defensive lineman has spent the offseason taking courses on the subject, trying to help fill what has become an ever-growing void on the Jets' veteran-purged roster.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) is sacked by New York Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams (92) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Sunday, Nov. 17, 2016. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
New York Jets' Jamal Adams (33) and Leonard Williams (92) celebrate during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) celebrates after bringing down Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, bottom, who was trying to gain yardage on a scramble during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams celebrates after sacking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, not pictured, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) celebrates during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, right, runs past New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes under pressure from New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New York Giants' Leonard Williams (99) rushes toward New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steven Ryan)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and cornerback James Bradberry (24) take down Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) takes the field during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) tries to avoid a tackle by New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) defends against Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) runs to the ball during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) runs the ball against New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) in action against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota Vikings guard Olisaemeka Udoh (74) and guard Ed Ingram (67) block against New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during the first half of an NFL wild-card football game Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) is brought down by New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker)
New York Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams (99) gestures during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) sacks Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams (99) takes the field before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams (99) takes the field before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
