Five-plus months after making a surprising trade for contract-year defensive lineman Leonard Williams, the Giants still have some work to do to re-sign him. The sides are not close on an extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
The former top-10 pick is expected to have a strong market in free agency, and Rapoport adds that the franchise tag remains a possibility. The Giants stand to hold more than $70MM in cap space but have many needs.
Dave Gettleman said earlier this year that Williams wanted to re-sign with the Giants. Williams, however, said he would not do so without a top-tier deal. The Giants traded for Williams just before the deadline. If the Giants extend Williams before free agency opens, they owe the Jets third- and fourth-round picks. If no extension occurs in that time, the compensation drops to third- and fifth-round selections.
The prospect of a Williams re-up with the Giants may stand at 50-50, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets. Big Blue has been linked to Jadeveon Clowney in free agency while also not being prepared to give him a top-market deal. Given that the Giants’ present strength on defense resides up front — where Dexter Lawrence and Dalvin Tomlinson are under contract — it would be interesting to see them hand Williams a major extension and pass on Clowney, who has the Giants on his short list. With B.J. Hill also in the fold, it can be argued the Giants should pass on a long-term Williams deal and devote money to other needs.
Nevertheless, the Giants want to retain Williams. This makes sense given that they dealt a third-rounder and change for him despite not being a contending team last season. Williams recorded career-low numbers in sacks (0.5) and quarterback hits (11) last season and has not delivered on the promise he carried into the 2015 draft, when the Jets selected him at No. 5 overall. Williams, however, is just 25 and has a Pro Bowl on his resume. He also registered a career-high 25 QB hits in 2017 and, lack of sacks notwithstanding, has graded fairly well in the view of Pro Football Focus throughout his career.
This is a mistake upon mistake. First the trade made no sense whatsoever. If you really wanted him go after him in FA or make a contract extension part of the conditions for trading for him. Secondly, you’ve made this player over hype himself and believe that he is worth Donald type money, when he’s done literally noting to prove he’s worth it. Thirdly, you’ve shown your fan base that you can’t be trusted in talent evaluation and in bringing in players to improve your team. Gettleman has forced himself and the Giants into a corner where they must over pay to resign Williams or compound the mistake
Oh, and don’t give me the, “well if he leaves they’ll get a 3rd round comp pick”, because if they do, it means they traded a high 3rd and 5th to move BACK 30 spots in the draft, or depending on what they do in FA this year could cancel out the comp pick they would have gotten and dropped it to 6th or 7th round. Ugh.
Agree on all…..you just can’t teach stupid….Gettleman needs to be fired and a younger, and more in tune with todays league guy needs to be brought in to mold the future of this once proud franchise.
Well said sir
Lol Gettleman
If he doesn’t re-sign Gettleman should be fired on the spot.
Ppplease resign Williams. That pick then becomes a 4th instead of a 5th for my Jets!!!
it was a bad move trading for a rental when your team has no shot at the playoffs but its worse to re-sign a guy only to justify the previous move
He should have been fired on the spot for this trade in the first place. They could have saved their draft picks and just tried to sign him in the offseason like right now.
There’s also a case to be made that if he made the team better after they acquired him, he potentially knocked them out of the Chase Young running. They were in prime position to draft #2 overall until they beat the Dolphins and Redskins in meaningless games.
Worst trade that I remember the Giants making. I’ve hated this GM since day one. How do you draft Cam and give him no receivers?
Leonard Williams was drafted 6th overall not 5th overall.
They should of tanked more and drafted Chase young