You don’t often see a 310-pound human move that fast. When Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams intercepted Aaron Rodgers on December 1, 2024, the world basically stopped spinning for a few seconds. It wasn’t just a turnover. It was a 92-yard statement.
MetLife Stadium has seen a lot of weird things, but watching a man nicknamed "Big Cat" rumble nearly the entire length of the field was something else entirely. Williams didn't just stumble into the end zone. He hit a top speed of 17.84 mph according to Next Gen Stats. For context, that is the fastest a defensive tackle has moved as a ball carrier in more than five seasons.
Honestly, it looked like a scene out of a video game where the physics engine glitched.
The Leonard Williams Pick 6 Moment
The Seahawks were trailing 21-7. It was the second quarter, and things were looking pretty grim for Seattle. The Jets were driving, looking to put the game out of reach before halftime. Then, Mike Macdonald called a zone blitz.
Williams was supposed to "pop out" and look for the short slant. He did exactly that. He read Rodgers' eyes, reached those long arms up, and the ball basically fell into his lap.
92 yards. That is a long way to run when you’re built like a refrigerator.
By the time he hit the 50-yard line, Williams admitted later that he was actually looking for someone to pitch the ball to. He was gassed. But he looked up and saw his entire defense sprinting with him, essentially acting as a riot squad to clear the path. He didn't need to pitch it. He just kept those legs churning.
When he finally crossed the goal line, he didn't do a fancy dance. He just fell over. He laid on his back in the end zone, completely spent, while his teammates piled on him. It was his first career defensive touchdown in his 10th NFL season. Talk about timing.
A Stat Line for the History Books
That game against the Jets wasn't just about the touchdown. Williams was playing like a man possessed. By the end of the day, he had recorded:
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- Two sacks on Aaron Rodgers
- A 92-yard interception return for a touchdown
- A blocked extra point
Nobody had done that since at least 1982. Specifically, recording multiple sacks, a pick-six, and a blocked kick in the same game is a feat that basically puts you in a club of one.
The Leonard Williams pick 6 changed the entire momentum of the game. Seattle went on to win 26-21. If he doesn't make 그 play, the Seahawks likely drop that game and their 2024 playoff hopes take a massive hit.
Why This Play Still Matters in 2026
Looking back from the perspective of the 2025-2026 season, that play was the turning point for Williams’ legacy in Seattle. People were skeptical when the Seahawks traded a second-round pick to the Giants for him. They thought he was a "rental" or a solid-but-not-elite piece.
He proved everyone wrong.
By the time the 2025 season rolled around, Williams was being ranked as a top-tier interior defender by PFF, trailing only names like Chris Jones and Dexter Lawrence. He earned Second-team All-Pro honors in 2025 because he stayed dominant. But the pick-six remains the highlight everyone shares on social media.
It’s the sheer improbability of it. Defensive tackles are meant to occupy blocks and stuff runs. They aren't meant to outrun wide receivers over 90 yards.
The "Big Cat" Evolution
The transition from the Jets to the Giants and finally to the Seahawks allowed Williams to find a system that actually used his athleticism. Mike Macdonald's defense thrives on versatility.
If you watch the replay of the Leonard Williams pick 6, you see him start at the line of scrimmage, fake a rush, and then drop into a passing lane. That’s high-level football IQ. It’s not just luck. He knew where the ball was going before Rodgers even let it go.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Return
A lot of fans think Williams just got lucky because Rodgers threw it right to him. If you look at the film, Williams actually had to tip the ball to himself. It wasn't a clean catch initially. He used his reach to disrupt the passing lane, tracked the ball in the air, and secured it while moving toward the sideline.
Another misconception? That he was "slow."
While 17.84 mph isn't Tyreek Hill territory, it's terrifying for a man of his size. Imagine a small car driving through a pedestrian zone at that speed. You move out of the way. The Jets' offensive players certainly did.
Actionable Insights for Football Fans
If you want to understand why players like Leonard Williams are becoming more valuable in the modern NFL, keep these points in mind:
- Versatility is King: The days of the "immovable object" nose tackle are fading. Coaches want guys who can drop into coverage and pressure the QB from any gap.
- Conditioning Matters: Williams was able to finish that 92-yard run because he’s one of the best-conditioned big men in the league. Most DTs would have been caught at the 40.
- Scheme Fit: Williams was "good" in New York, but he became "elite" in Seattle because Macdonald gave him the freedom to use his instincts.
To see this play in its full glory, you should go back and watch the "Next Gen Stats" breakdown of the run. It shows the pursuit angles and the sheer speed Williams maintained over nearly 100 yards of grass. It remains one of the most statistically improbable touchdowns in the last decade of Seahawks football.