BREAKING NEWS: The Seattle Seahawks are apparently hopeful that their best player will return in 2024 on a big contract.

The hiring of Mike Macdonald as head coach was the Seattle Seahawks’ first major offseason acquisition in 2024. The Seahawks management office is concentrating on assembling a potent squad for Macdonald now that the team has a new boss.

With contracts expiring in 2024 for Geno Smith, Kenneth Walker, Tyler Lockett, D.K. Metcalf, and Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Seattle is already well-positioned offensively. But for Macdonald’s plan to succeed, he will require a lot more skill on the defensive end.

The secondary is full of young potential, but the front seven is less guaranteed. The Seahawks will take care of some of their issues in the NFL Draft of 2024, but their blockbuster trade during the regular season is the reason they did not acquire a second-round pick this summer.

• Leonard Williams’s 2023 numbers include 16 quarterback hits, 10 sacks, and 5.5 tackles for loss in 18 games.

Defense tackle Leonard Williams was acquired by Seattle from the New York Giants in exchange for a second-round pick in 2024 and a fifth-round pick in 2025, before to the 2024 NFL trade deadline. Seattle’s defense benefited from the 2016 Pro Bowl pick, but the front management took a huge gamble with the upcoming free agent.

The payment made to New York by the Seahawks was unrelated to Williams’ decision to re-sign this summer. In addition, general manager John Schneider made a huge risk by adding a player who has already received two franchise tags.

A player who is placed on the franchise tag for the third time in NFL history is awarded 144% of his salary from the prior campaign. That would require Seattle to give Williams more than $18 million by 2024.

Thankfully, there is hope that the Seahawks organization and Williams’ representatives will reach an agreement on a contract extension this offseason, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic.

Analyzing the possible effects of Mike Macdonald on Leonard Williams of the Seattle Seahawks

Resigning With Mike Macdonald as the new defensive-minded head coach, Leonard Williams is especially crucial. The defensive interior, which was captained by defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, was a contributing factor in Macdonald’s defense against the Baltimore Ravens.

Madubuike rose to prominence in 2023 as one of the main breakout performers under Macdonald’s guidance. This past season, he recorded 33 QB hits, 12 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks, earning him second-team All-Pro accolades.

Williams (6 feet 5 inches, 302 pounds) may advance in his career. Under Macdonald’s defensive coordinatorship, Madubuike (6-foot-3, 305 pounds) recorded 42 quarterback hits, 20 tackles for loss, and 18.5 sacks in two seasons.

Williams’ return to form from his 2020 season (11.5 sacks) under the guidance of the new Seahawks coach would be extremely beneficial for Seattle’s defense in 2024. If Williams isn’t wearing a Seahawks uniform the next season, it would be surprising given the level of confidence on both parties in the completion of a long-term deal.