The Seattle Seahawks are in high spirits following their thrilling 23-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4.
After missing a 53-yard field goal earlier in the game, Seahawks kicker Jason Myers drilled a 52-yarder as the clock expired to give Seattle a victory over their NFC West rival. During the Thursday Night Football showdown, Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams recorded 1.5 sacks and one tackle for a loss.
“I have a hard time thinking there’s another defensive lineman playing better than him right now in the league,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said of Williams during his weekly appearance on Seattle Sports radio. “He doesn’t get enough love nationally.
“I know teams respect the heck out of him… Teams account for him, and it’s very obvious that they do that. And we had similar conversations as last year started to unfold – OK, now how are you gonna react as teams start making (you) a focal point and part of their game plan?
“And I think he’s had growth in just his mentality and his approach going into that – where he can stay as productive as he is while they’re making him the main focal point of what they’re doing.”
While the Seahawks celebrate the 31-year-old’s performance against the Cardinals, Williams must pay for his actions against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3.
Leonard Williams Hit With $23,186 Fine For Unnecessary Roughness Against The New Orleans Saints
Seattle took a brutal 44-13 loss to the Saints in front of a home crowd at Lumen Field in Week 3. On Saturday, September 27, the league announced Williams must pay $23,186 for the use of the helmet, which resulted in an unnecessary roughness penalty during the game.
This marks Williams’ first fine of the season and the first fine for Seattle as a team in 2025. Williams, who signed a three-year $64 million extension with Seattle in March 2024, should be able to afford the penalty without too much stress.
The former No. 6 overall pick from the 2015 NFL draft coughed up a few fines last season, as well. While he earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors against his former team, the New York Jets, registering two sacks, a 93-yard pick-six, and a blocked extra point, the NFL also fined him $16,883 for a face mask penalty against Aaron Rodgers.
Williams also paid a fine ($11,255) for a face mask penalty against then-San Francisco 49ers running back Deebo Samuel in Week 6.
Leonard Williams Feels The Seahawks Are Headed In The Right Direction Before Facing The Buccaneers In Week 5
“To me, it’s a great start to the season,” Williams told reporters of Seattle’s 3-1 start after defeating the Cardinals. Next up, the Seahawks return home to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5.
“But also, for me, what stands out is the connection, type of mindset, the play-style we have as a team – that stands out to me more than the record right now. The foundation is right. The growth of the team and the direction we’re headed is right.”
Williams gave a lot to Macdonald for the team’s success. “He’s taken a lot more demand and change of the team” in his second year as head coach, the veteran said.