Seahawks Star Says Trade ‘Changed My Life’ After Super Bowl

Leonard Williams didn’t need a long speech on locker cleanout day to sum up what the Seahawks did for his career.

According to Seahawks beat reporter Gregg Bell, the veteran defensive lineman said getting traded to Seattle “changed (his) my life.”

And the timing couldn’t be bigger: Seattle is coming off a 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, a night where the Seahawks’ defense held New England scoreless until the fourth quarter.

Leonard Williams’ locker cleanout message: trade impact, teammates, and the “amazing journey”

In the press scrum interview, Williams explained how much he valued playing alongside elite edge rushers, and specifically referenced being excited to play with Uchenna Nwosu. 

“When I first got traded here… he was one of those guys that I was most excited to play with… just because of our history together playing at… USC… and then also just knowing that he’s a great player.” 

Williams also described watching Nwosu battle back from injuries:

“It was an amazing journey to watch him… overcome all his injuries… and… he prevailed.” (

That’s a notable window into how Seattle’s defensive front bonded this season, not just collecting talent, but surviving a year of physical grind together.

“We were trying to make history”: Seahawks defense wanted a Super Bowl goose egg

Williams was also candid about the one thing that still bugged the defense, not finishing the shutout.

When asked if the unit thought about where it stands historically, Williams said yes, and admitted the group was frustrated the Patriots finally scored.

“I think we were a little upset that they scored… We were… trying to make history and… having the first goose egg in the Super Bowl.” 

That matches what played out: Seattle’s defense smothered New England for three quarters before the Patriots got on the board late.

And it’s not just vibes. The Seahawks’ displayed physical dominance, including heavy pressure on Drake Maye and a defensive tone that drew “Legion of Boom” comparisons.

Parade day in Seattle: “that was only like 1% of what we’re going to see”

Williams also sounded like a player trying to process what comes next immediately after winning it all.

Asked what he expected from the Super Bowl parade, he leaned into the scale of Seattle’s support:

“The parade tomorrow is going to be beautiful… when we landed yesterday… you hear… all the cars honking… I’m sure that was only like 1% of what we’re going to see… tomorrow.”

More details on that parade can be found here. 

What changes next: Williams’ contract is now part of Seattle’s 2026 cap puzzle

The “changed my life” quote hits harder when you look at the business side.

Williams is one of Seattle’s biggest defensive investments. He signed a three-year, $64.5 million deal in 2024 with significant guarantees, and his deal has been actively managed for cap flexibility.

Over the Cap also notes the Seahawks converted a chunk of his 2025 salary into a bonus (creating cap room then, but pushing money into future accounting via void years).

Translation for fans: Williams isn’t just a Super Bowl story; he’s a key name in how Seattle keeps this defense together in 2026 and beyond.

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