The Giants announced on Monday that they had placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on the standout defensive tackle. It is the second consecutive year Williams has received the franchise. He is the first player the Giants have ever tagged twice.
In 2020, Williams made $19.3 million.
The 26-year-old Williams was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent a week from tomorrow, the start of the NFL’s new business year. A franchise tag is basically a one-year deal that grants a window to negotiate a long-term contract. If there is no contract agreement before July 15, Williams will play the 2021 season under the one-year deal, which is what he did last season.
The move gives the two sides time to negotiate a long-term contract, and according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, both sides will continue to work towards a long-term deal.
However, the six-year veteran is free to negotiate with any team, but if Williams signs a contract with another team, the Giants will receive two first-round draft choices as compensation.
‘Like I said about all of our players, I’d love to have Leonard back,” Giants head coach Joe Judge said via a zoom call on Tuesday. “He’s a guy that obviously we really value in this building, and we’d love to have him around here. When we talk specifically about how that helps the pass rush, I think good players help you play good, and it’s no secret that he’s a very good player.”
Williams’ team-leading 11.5 sacks were the most by a Giants’ player since Jason Pierre-Paul’s 14.5 in 2014 and were 7.5 more than any of his teammates, 4.5 more than his previous best total (in 2016), and 11.0 more than he had in 2019. He was third in the NFL with 30 quarterback hits and tied for sixth with 14 tackles for loss. Williams was fifth on the Giants with 57 tackles (29 solo).
Expect the Giants and Williams to get a deal done sooner than later.
Leave a Reply