Leonard Williams - Defensive Lineman, seahawks Event: Press Conference | Date: 2026-09-20 | Full transcript (primary source).
Leonard Williams addressed the media during a press conference on September 20, 2026, following a recent game where the Seahawks' defense played a crucial role in securing a victory. The discussion focused on the team's defensive strategies and their commitment to maintaining a strong performance, even when the offense faces challenges.
Transcript
Williams: Real close in here, real family. What up?
Reporter: Does it now, after a few years of this, feel like almost a script that your defense is going to keep you guys in games? And even when your offense doesn't start, it's going to end this way?
Williams: I mean, I think that's something we've tried to create in the defensive room from the start of Mike being here is like, we always talk about being the tip of the spear. And then even taking it further than that, the D line talks about being the tip of the spear of the defense. We really believe in the offense, obviously. They obviously got the job done, had some great drives. But we feel like we want to win games with the defense.
Reporter: What did you guys do early, locking down after they scored?
Williams: I mean, I think we did a great job of just locking in the details at halftime. There was a few things where they were running the ball to the boundary, getting on the edge and things like that. And we switched some things up and were able to stop it. And we stopped their offense.
Reporter: The way you guys just place it physically, kind of on both sides of the ball, it seems like, I mean, today, look at a game, you guys kind of just warm out physically.
Williams: I mean, I think that's our identity. You could hear Coach Mike talk about it a lot. We want to be like a bow constrictor. That's how we want to win games, meaning we slowly just defeat teams, our physical teams. And towards the end of the game, they're just going to tap out. And I think we've done a great job of creating that identity. And it shows up on tape.
Reporter: You guys have won 12 in a row now, too. I don't know if that's something you think about, that you guys had me spend 10 months since you guys lost a game. Do you think about that and just kind of how that?
Williams: I honestly haven't thought about it. And I think that's what is so beautiful about this team. I don't think anyone's thinking about that. I think we're so honed in on just being who we are, setting the standard, being the standard, continuing to grow, chasing edges and all of those things. It's like, we're never looking behind us at what we've accomplished. We're just always looking ahead and a lot of times we're not even looking ahead at other teams. We're just looking ahead of how can we become better? And I think that's why we have such an identity on tape.
Reporter: If you're too busy out on the sideline, getting ready for the next possession. But do you ever get to just sit back and watch Jack's work and appreciate what he's doing out there?
Williams: I mean, all the time, I mean, we're sitting over there on the D line, on the sideline and when he catches the ball, we're just like, man, this guy's a wizard. It's nice to have big playmakers on offense. We have long drives on offense that allows the defense to rest. It's really complimentary football when you can be able to play like that.
Reporter: Your sack, it looks like you basically like bench press the double team into the quarterback. How much satisfaction do you take from winning in that way, specifically?
Williams: A lot, because I think I take pride in allowing the edges to play off me as well. So I feel like even if I'm not getting the sack, that's something I do is I burn the B gap. I try to take two guys with me to the quarterback. And a lot of times that frees up the outside guy to wrap around me and get the sack. This time, Dante wrapped around, the quarterback felt the pressure from him and stepped right into me. So it goes vice versa sometimes. Sometimes I'm the sacrifice and sometimes they forced the quarterback into me. So that's rushing as one right there.
Reporter: Do you have a preference whether you like the three or the end? Do you play a lot of end?
Williams: Yeah, I definitely like the end. I want to work at it a lot more. I'm getting more comfortable out there. I feel like you have more opportunities to get one-on-one rushes and things like that. Avoid the center slide and things like that. But I'm definitely more comfortable playing three technique. That's what I played my whole career. And I think I still prefer it.
Reporter: And one more, one more. So EJ last year had his comment in support of Sam. Sam said that really meant a lot to him. And I don't think you guys lost the game since he made that comment. Do you then as a defense learn like, hey, let's pick up Drew the same way because we can see how even us guys on defense can really impact the offensive way. Is that something you guys think about when you think about all three things?
Williams: I mean, yeah, for sure. Before this game, when he had to step up last game, that was something we already addressed at halftime. We were like, man, we got Drew's back. Let's finish this game. You know, let's make sure that we finish this game for Sam as well. And I think that's another picture of like what this team is about. We're going to support the next man up. And it's been done so many times throughout, you know, since Mike's being here is, you know, one man goes down and the next man steps up and, you know, everyone is capable of holding it down.
Reporter: Thanks, Leo.
Williams: Thanks, sir.
