A week ago, Leonard Williams was happy for his teammate, Coby Bryant, after the safety was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week, but the veteran defensive lineman also felt like he was snubbed having not won the award himself following a standout performance in the Seahawks' Week 12 win over the Cardinals.
On Wednesday, following another dominant outing, Williams was not denied for a second time, taking home NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in Sunday's win over the Jets.
Like Bryant the week before him, Williams earned Player of the Week honors in part for returning an interception for a touchdown, going 92 yards down the sideline after picking off Aaron Rodgers to score the first touchdown of his NFL career. But that play, impressive as it was, was only part of another great game for Williams, who also had a pair of sacks in the fourth quarter to help Seattle close out the win, as well as tackle for loss on a running play, giving him 4.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, 10 total tackles, six quarterback hits, two passes defensed and a blocked extra point in his past two games.
"I don't know how this works, but if we can nominate Leonard Williams for player of the week, he's just playing at an all-time elite level," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said after Sunday's game. "You know, to have a pick six, I think they told me he was going about 17-and-a-half miles an hour, which was pretty fast for a man that size, so he's playing out of his mind right now."
For Williams, this is the third Player of the Week award in his career, having previously won it twice while with the Giants in 2020. He also became the first Seahawks defensive lineman to earn defensive player of the Week honors since Jadeveon Clowney in 2019, and the first Seahawks defensive tackle to earn that honor since Cortez Kennedy in 1997.
"Right now I think he's playing at a Defensive Player of the Year level, for sure Player of the Month," safety Julian Love said. "These past two weeks, he's balling. It's just his approach. He takes care of his body off the field. He locks in, and is a great leader during the week. Despite all that's going on, he's so steady, and above all that, he's incredibly talented. And when he takes advantage of a matchup, he senses it from play one, and there's blood in the water for the whole game. And we needed it today. He was a difference maker."
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' Week 13 win over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Seahawks DE Leonard Williams walks to the team buses on game day for the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Tight ends coach Mack Brown talks to Pharaoh Brown, Noah Fant and AJ Barner in the locker room.
Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has a word with center Olu Oluwatimi in the locker room before the game.
Seahawks outside linebackers coach Chris Partridge instructs Dre'Mont Jones, DeVere Levelston and Derick Hall on the field before the game.
Seahawks receiver Cody White leaps high for a pass during warmups.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers practices field goals with the hold of Michael Dickson during pregame.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams enters the field.
Seahawks starting quarterback Geno Smith gets a hug from offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb on the field during pregame warmups.
In the Seahawks locker room, 21-year NFL veteran offensive lineman Jason Peters talks to rookie Sataoa Laumea, who was making his first NFL start against the Jets.
Seahawks Leonard Williams and Kenny McIntosh share a laugh in the locker room during pregame.
The Seahawks gather in a circle during their pregame meeting.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith brings the team up before they leave the locker room for kickoff.
Quarterback Geno Smith leads the Seahawks onto the field.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett signals a first down after a reception in the first quarter.
12s were loud and visible everywhere in MetLife Stadium for the game between the Seahawks and the Jets.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams jokes with Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a break in the action.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba finds open space after the catch.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner crosses into the end zone with a touchdown as teammate DK Metcalf assisted with a block.
Defensive end Leonard Williams races 92-yards in front of the Seahawks sideline with a pick-six in the second quarter.
Seattle defensive end Leonard Williams is celebrated by teammates at the end of his 92-yard interception and touchdown.
At halftime, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb instructs the offense.
Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb talks with quarterback Geno Smith in the locker room at halftime.
Head coach Mike Macdonald rallies his team at halftime.
Actor and legendary 12 Jeffrey Dean Morgan cheers for the Seahawks in the third quarter.
Seahawks Leonard Williams and Dre'Mont Jones exchange a high-five.
Running back Kenneth Walker III tries to get around the left side.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet smashes his way past defenders for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Leonard Williams records the first of his two sacks of Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Seahawks safety Julian Love makes a key tackle on the Jets' final drive to prevent a first down.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams reacts after his second sack of Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (on ground at right).
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant blitzes and pressures Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers into an incomplete pass on fourth down, sealing the win for Seattle.
Seahawks President of Football Operations/General Manager John Schneider congratulates receiver DK Metcalf as Metcalf enters the locker room after the win.
Seahawks Leonard Williams and Pharaoh Brown celebrate in the locker room after the victory.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and his team let out a yell in the locker room after the win. He then presented the game ball to defensive end Leonard Williams.
