Sources: Seahawks to retain DL Williams, TE Fant

Last updated: 2024/03/12 at 11:02 AM

BigP Published March 12, 2024

Brady Henderson, ESPNMar 11, 2024, 08:50 PM ET
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The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to deals to bring back defensive lineman Leonard Williams and tight end Noah Fant, sources told ESPN on Monday.

Williams’ deal is for three years and worth $64.5 million with $48.85 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Re-signing Williams was, in general manager John Schneider’s words, “definitely a priority” for the Seahawks after they gave up a second-round pick to acquire him from the New York Giants in October. Schneider told Seattle Sports 710-AM last week that the team was already in negotiations with Williams’ agent.

“We gave up that second-round pick,” Schneider said. “We went for it. We thought that he was going to help change our defense. He played well. Unfortunately, we didn’t make the playoffs. But he’s a guy we want to keep in the mix. You can move him around. He can play three-, five-, nine-(technique). You can play him wherever you want, and he’s a great guy. He likes it here. I had a great exit interview with him and we hope to retain him.”

The Seahawks positioned themselves to make splash signings early in free agency with several moves over the last week. They released safeties Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs as well as tight end Will Dissly, nose tackle Bryan Mone and special teams captain Nick Bellore. They also restructured wide receiver Tyler Lockett’s contact, leaving them with roughly $50 million in salary cap space.

Fant’s return comes after the Seahawks lost two of their other top three tight ends from 2023, with Colby Parkinson agreeing to a deal with the Los Angeles Rams and Dissly agreeing to sign with the Los Angeles Chargers after his release.

Fant’s deal is for two years; he will make $12 million in the first year and $9 million in the second along with a $9 million signing bonus, a source confirmed to Fowler.

The 26-year-old has 82 catches for 900 yards and four touchdowns in his two seasons with Seattle. He was part of the blockbuster trade that sent Russell Wilson to Denver.

The NFL Network first reported Seattle’s deal with Fant.