The New York Giants made one of the first big deals before the 2023 NFL trade deadline, and the team landed a pretty good return for struggling pass rusher Leonard Williams.
On Sunday, the Giants suffered a heartbreaking loss to in-city rivals the New York Jets. The defeat dropped them to 2-6 and in a position where being sellers before the Tuesday deadline made some sense. Well, it seems the organization’s front office thought moving expensive players who no longer fit their long-term plans was the way to go as well.
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On Monday afternoon, NFL Media league insider Tom Pelissero was one of the first to report that New York is “sending veteran DL Leonard Williams to the Seahawks for a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick, per sources.”
New York Giants schedule (Next Game): vs. Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 5
Williams’ name has come up in recent speculation as a potential player the team could move before the 4 PM ET NFL trade deadline tomorrow. After making a surprise trade with the Jets in 2019, Williams became the team’s top pass rusher and peaked with 11.5 sacks in 2020.
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However, his numbers have declined in every season season since due to injuries and a change in scheme with new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale coming in last year. Landing a premium second-round pick for him in the final year of his contract is a very good return for New York. The organization is reportedly picking up most of the $10 million left on his contract for this season.
Williams seems to be a part of a clear plan for the Seattle Seahawks to bolster their pass rush for the second half of the season. Last week, they added three-time Pro Bowler and talented sack master Frank Clark. The Seahawks earned another big win in Week 8 and the 5-2 team is now first-place in the NFC West.
