Giants' former Pro Bowler may not be in New York much longer
The New York Giants are still a few weeks away from the start of the 2023 NFL season. But it's never too early to look into the future, especially when it comes to the teambuilding philosophy. That includes making tough decisions with key veterans and household names, a predicament that one Giant may soon be […]
The New York Giants are still a few weeks away from the start of the 2023 NFL season.
But it's never too early to look into the future, especially when it comes to the teambuilding philosophy.
That includes making tough decisions with key veterans and household names, a predicament that one Giant may soon be in:
Leonard Williams, DT
Leonard Williams signed a three-year, $63 million dollar contract with the Giants on March 16, 2021. A former Pro Bowler with the New York Jets, Williams struck gold after a 2020 season that saw him accumulate a career-high, 11.5 sacks from an interior alignment.
But now positioned to be in yet another contract year, the recently turned 29-year-old may struggle to generate the same value this go-round, especially when you consider his most recent season produced career lows in games played (12) and tackles (45) to go with only two sacks.
Now there is a chance that Williams stays in New York but at a much cheaper price. The Giants will likely want to keep him around, but at a total that more fairly represents his recent production and future projection.
Williams wants to stick around also, saying the following during last month's minicamp:
“There haven’t been many talks about it this offseason," Williams told reporters on behalf of his contract negotiation. "I’m obviously open to staying here. I think I have a good camaraderie with my teammates. I would love to keep playing with Dex. I would love to keep playing with these coaches that I’ve gotten to know.”
So if Williams can show the spark that prompted New York to pay him in the first place, then maybe he does return beyond this year.
A contract year should be all the motivation he needs.
ESPN names Giants’ biggest weakness for this season
Good points here.
Featured image via: © Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
