Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon celebrated his second straight Pro Bowl selection this week, earning recognition for another strong campaign. But while Witherspoon’s achievement brought joy to Seattle’s locker room, it also underscored a glaring omission: veteran defensive tackle Leonard Williams.
Williams, in the midst of one of the best seasons of his 10-year career, was left off the Pro Bowl roster despite his stellar stats. Speaking to reporters after the announcement, Williams didn’t mince words. “It’s pretty disappointing, if I’m being honest,” he said. “I feel like I definitely deserved it this year, but I’m happy for the guys that made it. They equally deserved it.”
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The numbers back up Williams’ frustration. His 9.0 sacks tie him for the most among NFC interior defensive linemen, while his 15 tackles for loss and 26 quarterback hits lead the group. He has outperformed several Pro Bowl selections, including the Giants’ Dexter Lawrence, the Buccaneers’ Vita Vea, and the Eagles’ Jalen Carter. Adding to his resume, Williams recorded a historic 92-yard interception return for a touchdown in December, the longest ever by a defensive lineman.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith voiced his disbelief at Williams’ exclusion. “If you turn on the tape, there’s no way this guy’s not an All-Pro, Pro Bowler,”Smith said.“There’s some type of bias. Leo has been wrecking games all season. It’s unfortunate for guys like him.”
Leonard Williams reflects on Pro Bowl snub and the weight of legacy
Williams’ disappointment echoes a familiar sentiment. He was similarly snubbed in 2020, despite an 11.5-sack season with the New York Giants. “I’ve tried to convince myself that the Pro Bowl doesn’t matter,”Williams said. “But it’s frustrating. Pro Bowls and All-Pros impact legacies, and that’s something I’ve become more conscious of.”
While Williams is listed as an alternate and could replace Lawrence, who suffered a season-ending injury, he wasn’t enthusiastic about the possibility. “Honestly, I don’t care at this point,”Williams said. “Being an alternate is frustrating.”
Teammate Witherspoon, who joined Williams in questioning the selection process, expressed disbelief. “They trippin’. I ain’t gonna lie. They gotta review that or something, bro.”
Despite the snub, Williams remains focused on the respect he’s earned from teammates, coaches, and opponents. “At the end of the day, it doesn’t mean everything,” he said.“The respect from the people who matter most is what keeps me going.”
