The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Giants GM Gettleman hoping to resign Williams
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants want to sign recently acquired defensive lineman Leonard Williams to a multiyear deal before his contract runs out at the end of the season.
General manager Dave Gettleman disclosed the plans in a letter sent to season tickets holders Thursday and released as a story on the team’s website Friday.
The Giants obtained Williams from the rival Jets on Monday on the eve of the NFL trading deadline for a thirdround draft choice in 2020 and a conditional fifthround choice in 2021.
The conditional pick will become a fourth if the Giants (26) resign Williams, who was the sixth overall draft pick in 2015.
“We gave up a three and a five,” Gettleman said in the message to the ticket holders. “Our goal is to sign him long term. He’s only 25 years old. And obviously talented. He’s a piece you can build around.”
Gettleman, who has not spoken to the media on the record since the end of July, said he reached out to Jets counterpart Joe Douglas last
week about Williams.
“We went back and forth and basically came to an agreement over the weekend,” Gettleman said. “But we didn’t finalize it. He had to speak to his ownership and I had to speak with mine. We made the deal on Monday. Leonard came in and passed his physical on Tuesday, and he’s now a Giant wearing No. 99.”
The addition of the 25yearold Williams gives the Giants a young group up front that includes thirdyear pro Dalvin Tomlinson, secondyear veteran B.J. Hill and rookie Dexter Lawrence, one of three firstround draft picks this season.
“It gives us a really strong inside defensive tackle rotation,” Gettleman said. “We’re very happy with the progress that B.J. Hill is making. We’re happy with Dexter Lawrence and Dalvin Tomlinson. We’re very happy with our defensive tackle group, but you’re always looking to get better. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Defensive tackles line up closer to the quarterback than defensive ends.”
Defensive coordinator James Bettcher on Friday called Williams a versatile, explosive player who can line up anywhere on the line. He had 17 sacks with the Jets and made one Pro Bowl.
“He gets in here at the beginning of the week, and here I guess we’re three quarters of the way through the week and he’s not making mistakes,” said Bettcher, adding Williams will play Monday night at MetLife Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys (43). “He’s locked in on what we’re doing and why we’re doing it, and he’s working his tail off. So, we’re excited to have him, we’re excited to have an opportunity to work with him.”
The Giants have one of the NFL’s youngest teams. Quarterback Daniel Jones, receiver Darius Slayton, cornerback DeAndre Baker and Lawrence all starting along with secondyear players Saquon Barkley, Will Hernandez, the starting halfback and left guard, respectively.