Williams sees ’20 as an ‘opportunity’ for long-term deal
He is here. It is where he wants to be, he says.
How long he is here, well, good luck with that. For now, it is 2020 vision for Leonard Williams, a sturdy defensive tackle traded by the Jets to the Giants, instantly becoming about as polarizing a transaction as one can imagine.
The thought process by the Giants went like this: Bring in the young and healthy defensive lineman, get him acclimated into the system and, if all goes well, secure him with a multiyear extension.
The reality of the situation went like this: Williams was a nice but low-impact addition, the Giants knew they wanted to keep him and did so with the franchise tag for $16.1 million. The offseason came and went, no new contract — or even the hint of a new contract — materialized and Williams is about to embark on his first full season with the Giants, with a brand-new coaching staff for him to learn and impress.
“I think it’s always in the player’s interest to get a long-term deal, but that’s something that worked itself out between my agents and the organization,’’ Williams said Friday. “I’m just happy to be here, play with this team again, and learn about the guys that I’ve been with since last year.’’
On Oct. 28, the Giants were 2-6 at midseason when they sent a 2020 third-round pick and a 2021 fifth-round pick to the Jets, bringing back Williams, the No. 6-overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. The deal was not made with short-sighted goals in mind. Williams was then only 25 years old (he currently is 26), and the Giants saw in him a fixture on their defensive line.
Surprisingly, it never got to the point where negotiations ever opened up, much less got close or stalemated. The Giants expressed their interest in a multiyear extension to Williams’ camp but there was no response. Perhaps
Williams’ camp realized the two sides were not going to see eye-to-eye on the value of the player. The Giants were not going to throw out an extravagant contract proposal to Williams, which essentially would be bidding against themselves.
“I wouldn’t say it was disappointing,’’ Williams said. “I kind of knew the situation I was coming off of last year. I think it’s actually a good opportunity for myself. I’m looking at it as an opportunity. I’m not looking at it as something that’s bad. I’m looking at it as an opportunity.’’
Williams reported to his first training camp with the Giants and was promptly put on the non-football injury list with what is considered a slight hamstring issue.
“I’m definitely making strides and doing the best that I can to get out there with my teammates,’’ Williams said.
New head coach Joe Judge was all for keeping Williams. What happens this season will determine how long the football relationship lasts.
“I don’t let too much outside noise get to me,’’ Williams said. “I just try to work hard, keep the blinders on and keep working and doing what I can do.”