Will Dissly is returning to the Seahawks in 2022 and beyond, having signed a new multi-year deal Wednesday just ahead of the start of the new league year.
Dissly, who joined the Seahawks as a fourth-round pick out of the University of Washington in 2018, has been a starter when healthy throughout his four-year career. For the Bozeman, Montana native, Seattle has become a second home and a place he didn't want to leave for reasons both personal and professional.
"It starts with the culture," Dissly said after signing his contract Wednesday. "The program that Pete (Carroll) has built is just awesome to be a part of. It's a winning culture, player-run, and it gives you the opportunity to be your best self.
"It's about fit and family. Staying close to my family, and then obviously staying close to my work family, it's awesome. The equipment guys the last four years have become my best friends, and everyone in the building honestly, we have so much fun here, and I'm just glad to be able to continue those relationships."
Known as a run-blocking prospect coming out of college—Dissly began his UW career as a defensive end—Dissly proved himself to be an adept pass catcher as well as a rookie, catching eight passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns in four games before a patellar tendon injury ended his season.
Dissly returned from that injury and got off to another strong start in 2019, catching 23 passes for 262 yards and four touchdowns in six games, but he unfortunately once again suffered a serious injury, this time a torn Achilles tendon.
In the two seasons since, Dissly has been able to stay healthy, missing only one game due to injury—he also missed one game on the COVID-19 list last season—and in addition to his contributions to the passing game, he has established himself a top blocking tight end, as was the hope when Seattle drafted him.
Re-signing Dissly gives the Seahawks some continuity at a position where that was uncertain heading into the offseason with both him and Gerald Everett headed towards free agency. While Everett remains a free agent, the Seahawks did add former first-round pick Noah Fant as part of the Russell Wilson trade, and also bring back Colby Parkinson, a 2020 draft pick, as well as Tyler Mabry, who split time last season between the practice squad and 53-man roster.
