NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted that the NY Giants are finalizing a trade sending veteran defensive lineman Leonard Williams to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick. This is the first trade the Giants have made ahead of the 4 p.m. Oct. 31 trade deadline.
According to NFL Insider’s Connor Hughes, the 29-year-old Williams was unlikely to re-sign to stay in New York for the 2024 season, as he is in the final year of his contract. New York will be eating “most” of the remaining money on Williams’ base salary this year (he is owed $10 million for the remainder of the season).
Williams was originally drafted by the Jets with the sixth overall pick in the 2015 draft out of USC, but joined the Giants in a deal ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Oct. 28, 2019, for a 2020 third-round pick and a 2021 fifth-round pick. Former GM Dave Gettleman signed Williams to a three-year, $63 million deal (45 million guaranteed) in 2021.
In 61 games with the Giants, Williams had 22.5 sacks with 72 QB hits and 27 tackles for loss. He also forced four fumbles and recovered four fumbles while deflecting six passes. This season Williams had 1.5 sacks and five QB hits in eight games this season.
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