Not even a week after notably being left off of the Pro Bowl roster, Leonard Williams caps off what has been a noteworthy season with two sacks in Seahawks 30-25 win.
To cap off what has already been an enormous season for Leonard Williams, he tied it all up in a bow on Sunday, adding two sacks, to bring his season total to 11 and marking the first time since 2018 a Seahawks player has had double-digit sacks. Frank Clark had 13 and Jarran Reed had 10.5 that season.
Earlier this week, Pro Bowl rosters were announced and the Seahawks had a lone Pro Bowl nomination – Devon Witherspoon, and Williams was arguably one of the biggest Pro Bowl snubs this season. And whether or not he was playing with an extra chip on his shoulder because of that, he made sure to remind everyone just how high of a level he's been playing at.
"He didn't need a punctuation, exclamation point, but he sure added one today with all the work that he's done," head coach Mike Macdonald said following the game. "I think our front, in order for 'Leo' to come alive, you have to rush as one. We've talked about this the whole season, but he's doing it within the lens of playing with each other, playing off one another. The defensive front has just done a great job of playing together, playing off one another, growing together. That's the type of football team we want to create, guys that are a connected group that play for one another."
Williams expressed his disappointment in not being named to the Pro Bowl saying, "I feel like I definitely deserved it this year but you know I'm happy for the guys that made it. They equally deserved it. That's why they're in the Pro Bowl."
Williams was given a game ball after the win and Macdonald said, "This guy had two sacks. He got to 11 (on the season). He's playing his ass off. He should be a First Team All-Pro, should be a Pro Bowler – Leonard Williams."
Williams' impact for the Seahawks defense, while it can be measured in stats, has provided more than just that.
"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 rookie linebacker Tyrice Knight said watching the way Williams plays has pushed him to be better.
"That boy is a monster," Knight said. "I need to play like him every play because he just makes me better. Over the last five weeks, he's been a monster. So him to get 10 sacks, just shows that he's been preparing well all season."
And while it's not lost on the players that Williams was snubbed of a Pro Bowl nod, they're still rooting for him to collect all the awards he can.
"I hope he gets all those accolades that are still out there," Love said. "I think he deserves them. Can't say enough about Leo. You guys know that's my guy."
