Giants Ship Leonard Williams to Seattle
With the NFL Trade Deadline fast approaching, the New York Giants are in seller mode. Big Blue traded defensive tackle Leonard Williams out west to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange…
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 21: Leonard Williams #99 of the New York Giants reacts after a roughing the passer penalty against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter in the game at Levi’s Stadium on September 21, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
With the NFL Trade Deadline fast approaching, the New York Giants are in seller mode. Big Blue traded defensive tackle Leonard Williams out west to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2024 second round pick, and a 2025 fifth round pick.
The former Pro Bowler was in the final year of a three-year $63 million contract, and is making a base salary of $18 million this year.
Moving on from Williams makes sense. At 2-6, the Giants are not going anywhere near the playoffs. Williams, an experienced veteran, is likely not returning next season anyway with free agency coming up. It makes sense to move him to a team like Seattle, who is challenging for a playoff spot.
The move also saves the Giants $4.6 million on their salary cap.
Williams' departure from New York ends an eight year stay in the Big Apple for the man known as the Big Cat. He was drafted by the New York Jets in 2015, but never became the force in the middle of the Jets defense as they had hoped.
By mid 2019, the Jets decided to trad Williams to the Giants where he resurrected his career. In 2020, Williams had a career best 11.5 sacks. Since then Williams number have gone down considerably. He had only 1.5 sacks this season alone.
What will the next move be for the Giants?
We will find out as the 4 p.m. trade deadline fast approaches on Tuesday.
