It had to happen. And it happened.
The Giants and Leonard Williams agreed on Tuesday on a three-year contract valued at $ 63 million, including $ 45 million in fully guaranteed money. The Giants have their ascending defensive under contract through the 2023 season and are given valuable and much-needed salary cap space to upgrade their roster during this free agency period.
The annual average of $ 21 million has always been the be-all and end-all for Williams as he received the franchise designation that kept him at $ 19.4 million for a year. This was the starting point for a multi-year contract, and it was clear that Williams was aiming for an average of more than $ 20 million per year. As soon as the giants let the negotiations drift up, an agreement was reached.
The Giants also agreed to sign deals with recipient John Ross, a speed demon who needed a change of scene after four injury-filled and mostly unproductive years with the Bengals.
The key here is giving the Giants flexibility on the salary cap as this move will save them around $ 11 million from the 2021 cap. They knew operating with a cap hit for Williams of $ 19.4 million was untenable, and this new deal cut off nearly halfway through, though the contract’s relatively short duration – three years – didn’t have much room leaves to distribute the value. This is very important for Williams as he can go on the open market at the beginning of his 30 year season and maybe give him another try at making money.
After making Williams their franchise player, the Giants knew they would play with him on their line in 2021. This gives Williams and the team reassurance that he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. With Dalvin Tomlinson, a four-year-old starter on the defensive, agree with the Vikings With a two-year contract worth $ 22 million, the Giants have a place on their three-man line. They signed Austin Johnson again on Monday.
Williams came to the Giants in a deal in the jets for the 2019 midseason. He played on the $ 16.1 million franchise day last season and flourished to a career high of 11.5 sacks, pushing him into a stratospheric price range among defensive linemen. Williams’ annual average of $ 21 million equals DeForest Bucker of the Colts in second place among defensive tackles, followed by Aaron Donald of the Rams at $ 22.5 million per year.
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