Kevin Williams, a five-time All-Pro defensive tackle during his 11 seasons with Minnesota, was signed by the Seahawks Thursday afternoon, adding experienced depth to a defensive front that took some hits in free agency.
Williams, a 6-foot-5, 311-pounder who will be 34 in August, started 15 games last season in Minnesota. He had 3.5 sacks, an interception and five passes defensed along with 17 tackles.
He played about half the snaps (394), which is likely to be the case in Seattle, where coach Pete Carroll had big success rotating nine linemen depending on down and distance. Starting tackles Tony McDaniel and Brandon Mebane return.
@Seahawks FA signing…wanted to be the first to welcome DT/DE Kevin Williams to the team! #GoHawks
— Paul Allen (@PaulGAllen) June 12, 2014
ESPN reported the deal is for one year at a little more than $2 million. Williams visited with the Seahawks and several other teams in April, and contemplated retirement.
“My main criteria has really been having a chance to win and playing with a proven quarterback,” Williams told SiriusXM radio recently. “Those things are huge when you get older. You want to have that chance to get in the dance and just be there to have a chance at the end of the season.
“I think I still have some juice in the tank and to be in a nice rotation, it would maximize both for me and whatever team I’m with to both get the best from it.”
The Seahawks let go DLs Red Bryant and Chris Clemons in free agency to save money against the salary cap.
Seahawks owner Paul Allen was the first to break the news via Twitter, a tweet that was then deleted.
5 Comments
Nice pick up by the Hawks. Still have concerns about the O-Line though.
This guy will play his BUTT off for the Hawks.
Great pickup, especially for the young guys.
P & J wheelin’ and dealin’ again!!! Sweet!
Now if they would drop Lynch, MR Me First, things will really improve.
He apparently is suffering from short-term memory loss: Buffalo had NO TAKERS when they shopped him, as he has always been a me first, petulant guy: Not the guy P & J have in their locker room.
Once he is dropped and there are no takers, he may get a dose of reality as to how good he has had it in Seattle.
Good move. Williams is at the stage of his career where he’s not going to be out there a lot, but he’ll definitely help as a situational D-Liner, sort of like John Randle (another ex-Vik) when he was here. The Seahawks seem to fill their playing roster with guys from Minnesota and their front office with guys from Green Bay…it’s like their own version of the Keystone Pipeline running east-to-west.
As for Lynch, he’s not helping himself. Count on seeing a lot of Turbin and Michael in the preseason and both will get their touches during the regular season. If Darrell Bevell is to be believed (even though he retracted his statement), the transition is already underway.
This is the Classic example of “both sides win”. We wined and dined Jared Allen yet despite ESPN touting him as the next Seahawk he isnt. Some times things happen for a reason.Instead we eventually get a 5 time All Pro to help the defense out for a team friendly price. Whats not to like? Kevin Williams is pinching himself thinkng he reached this Utopia that is rare in the NFL…a chance to play for a championship in the twilight of a career. He will bust his Derriere for the Hawks and I hope he is wearing his ring next summer. This has happy ending written all over it.
He of the Red Bryant run stuffing type girth….you can be sure he will be “all in” in what he can do for the team…not the other way around and fit into whatever niche they decide his role is best suited for. If he started15 games for the Vikes last year he will def benefit from their great rotation system here to keep him “sack fresh”.The only concern is 34 is way older than most Seahawks are these days. Im hoping he can show enough to earn a roster spot. Congrats Kevin.