Sign of Leo
Big buck$ DT says new contract won’t change him
For so long with Leonard Williams, it was more about what he was not doing — the sacks he was not getting, the impact he was not making in games that invariably ended up in losses.
His early time with the Giants made it seem as if the big defensive tackle needed to do something different, be someone different in order for this relationship to work.
This did not happen, and yet Williams is now tied to the Giants for three more years.
“I didn’t change for anybody,’’ Williams said Thursday. “I didn’t listen to any outside noise and try to be a different guy. I just kept playing my game and giving my best, competing, and I’m really glad this organization took a chance on me and it worked out.’’
It worked out sensationally for Williams, evidenced by the Tiffany pen he was handed to sign a three-year, $63 million contract the Giants gave him to be the centerpiece up front on their defense. With one stroke, Williams became the highest-paid defensive player in franchise history, and he is behind only Aaron Donald of the Rams, as far as annual salary for an NFL defensive lineman.
With the money comes, if not more responsibly, certainly more visibility. There comes more pressure, like it or not.
“I don’t think so,’’ Williams said. “If I allow the pressure to sink in or if I allow outside noise to start sinking in, it’s gonna take away that fun that allowed me to play so well. I don’t want to think about what type of pressure, what other people are thinking. I just want to do the best for my team, be a good leader and give this team as much as I can. That’s the reason why they brought me back, for that. I don’t want to put too much pressure on it.’’
These are the sentiments often heard from players after the bucks roll in. Some can handle it. Many cannot.
“That’s kind of sad to hear for me, that guys fall off after they get paid or whatever,’’ Williams said. “To me, it’s really not about the money. I wanted a long-term contract for stability. I wanted to be here long term and I wanted to keep playing with this coaching staff.’’
It is not as if Williams is unfamiliar with expectations. The Jets made him the No. 6-overall pick in the 2015 draft. He was traded to the Giants at midseason in 2019, and played in 2020 on the $16.1 million franchise tag. He erupted for a career-high 11.5 sacks and praised the way he was handled by head coach Joe Judge, defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and defensive line coach Sean Spencer.
“I do well under a coaching staff that pushes you, tries to get their best out of you, and that’s definitely what this coaching staff does,’’ Williams said. “I thrive well under an environment that pushes you.’’
Williams thrived playing alongside Dalvin Tomlinson, but the pairing was shortlived. The Giants could not fit Tomlinson, who was a team captain, in with their salary-cap restraints, and he signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Vikings this week.
“It was fun playing with [Tomlinson]. We had a good connection, we had a good relationship,’’ Williams said. “He was a good leader, he was a good blue-collar, hardworking type of guy. I learned that from him. He never missed a day, never showed up late. He was a reliable type of guy.’’
Some of that leadership void must now get picked up by Williams.
“They paid me for the guy that I am,’’ he said. “They brought me back here for the guy that I am. I don’t want to change too much, I just want to get better. Being a leader and being an example is definitely an important part of the reason why they brought me back, and I’m going to have to do a good job of showing the next generation or the new guys coming in that same thing.
“I just love this organization. I love the way I’ve been getting coached here under coach Judge and his staff. I love the way they treat people here. I love the guys they’re bringing into the building. Overall it just seemed like a good fit, and I’m just glad to be back.”