New York Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams will be looking for a large payday ahead of the 2020 regular season.
This past October, the New York Giants made their first-ever trade with the New York Jets prior to the deadline. Big Blue sent over a third-round pick in 2020 and a fifth-round pick in 2021 for defensive lineman Leonard Williams. The Giants were hoping Williams would provide depth to their front-seven in what was definitely a head-scratching move.
Now, it’s becoming even more of a questionable trade, if that’s at all possible. Williams has done next to nothing since switching teams. Through four games, he’s racked up just 10 combined tackles with one tackle-for-loss and seven quarterback hits. His contract expires at the end of the season, leaving the Giants two options. They could either let him walk and essentially make him a rental player. Or, they could give him a new deal, as he certainly wants a large one.
“I know that I want to get a big contract, and I know that I am worth a lot,” Williams said, per Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media.
As far as testing free agency, he noted that it’s “definitely a logical possibility.”
Williams is currently playing under a four-year deal worth over $18 million, with the 2019 season acting as the fifth-year option. The Jets were most likely grateful to rid themselves of his contract. Williams hasn’t exactly been an impact player since his Pro Bowl season in 2016.
The Giants previously noted they wanted to begin negotiating a new deal with Williams prior to Thanksgiving. It’s unclear if they’ve made any sort of progress with that up to this point.
