In his 10th season, Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams played, by his own estimation, the best football of his career.
And that standout season was recognized this week by the Professional Football Writers of America, who named Williams to the PFWA 2024 All-NFC team.
Williams earned PFWA honors for a season in which he led all NFL interior linemen in sacks with 11.0, tackles for loss with 16 and quarterback hits with 28. That sack total is just behind Williams' career-high of 11.5 set in 2020, while the 16 tackles for loss are a new career high. And Williams' 28 quarterback hits ranked third in the NFL and first among interior linemen.
Williams was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 13, and was named the NFC's Defensive Player of the Month for December/January. Williams became the first Seahawks player to record double-digit sacks since Frank Clark and Jarran Reed both did it in 2018, and he also became just the fourth interior lineman in franchise history to have a double-digit sack season along with Reed and Hall of Famers Cortez Kennedy John Randle.
Despite those in-season honors and impressive numbers, Williams was left off the Pro Bowl and AP All-Pro teams, though he is a Pro Bowl alternate who could very well be tabbed to replace close friend and former teammate Dexter Lawrence, whose season was cut short by injury. But while Williams was snubbed for those honors, his value wasn't overlooked by teammates and coaches.
"All-Pro level, All-Pro talent, Pro-Bowl talent," outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu said of Williams late in the season. "That's what he's been, he's been able to do that. He was the No. 6 overall pick for a reason. He's always had it in him, he always could do it, and I'm happy he's doing what he's doing right now. He deserves all the recognition, because he's playing at a high level."
Williams, who the Seahawks acquired last season in a midseason trade with the Giants, then extended in the offseason, was a huge part of the Seahawks' defensive growth this season under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald.
"He was the heart of the defense this year," safety Julian Love said. "He was steady all year and to be as far his career as he is and to play at this All-Pro level is just awesome. He puts in the work, he fights through injuries, he fights through aches and pains and he does all the tough things. He makes the tough decisions to be out there for us and to see him just reap the benefit or the rewards of all his work is awesome."
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams finished the 2024 season with a team-high 11 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. Check out the best photos from Williams' dominant 2024 season.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99).
