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Seahawks Extend Leonard Williams With $90 Million Deal

8/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Seattle Seahawks signed defensive tackle Leonard Williams to a three-year, $90 million extension.
The deal guarantees $56 million and carries a $30 million average annual value.
Williams, a three-time Pro Bowler and last-season second-team All-Pro, recorded 22 sacks in 43 games.
GM John Schneider said extending a 32-year-old is rare.
The contract ties Williams with Vita Vea as the fifth-highest paid interior defensive tackle.

History

Historical Context

The NFL introduced a hard salary cap in 1994, set at $34.6 million after TV deals raised the projected $32 million. The cap rose to $85.5 million by 2005 and exceeded $255 million in 2024, while the 2011 CBA imposed a $120 million floor of 88.8 % of the cap, driving payroll inflation that now fuels multi-year, high-value interior-line contracts.

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Story summary

Seattle Seahawks signed defensive tackle Leonard Williams to a three-year, $90 million extension.
The deal guarantees $56 million and carries a $30 million average annual value.
Williams, a three-time Pro Bowler and last-season second-team All-Pro, recorded 22 sacks in 43 games.
GM John Schneider said extending a 32-year-old is rare.
The contract ties Williams with Vita Vea as the fifth-highest paid interior defensive tackle.

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