The New York Giants were one of the NFL’s pleasant surprises last season, and it wasn’t because they were some type of offensive juggernaut.
They achieved a 9-7-1 regular-season record and then upset the NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings by being greater than the sum of their parts and, at times, mucking up the game.
One of their key players on the defensive side of the football, defensive lineman Leonard Williams, is facing an uncertain future with the Giants.
The upcoming 2023 season will be the final year on his contract, and he talked to ESPN NFL Nation insider Jordan Raanan about his contract situation on Wednesday.
Asked Leonard Williams yesterday about his contract/cap hit + future.
“There hasn’t been many talks about it this offseason,” he said. “I’m obviously open to staying here.”
Williams in final year of his current deal. His $32.3M cap hit is third largest for any player for 2023.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) June 15, 2023
Williams was traded to the Giants midway through the 2019 season, and he has started every game he has appeared in since then.
Last season, despite missing five contests due to a sprained MCL, he managed to post 12 quarterback hits, five tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
He has teamed with nose tackle Dexter Lawrence to give New York a solid defensive line over the last few years.
The team has also a decision to make with star running back Saquon Barkley, who is by far their biggest offensive threat.
They have until July 17 to reach terms on a new contract with him, as they used their franchise tag to retain him earlier this offseason.
The Giants recently gave Lawrence and quarterback Daniel Jones huge new contracts, and they will have to manage the salary cap in order to keep both Barkley and Williams for the foreseeable future.
NEXT:
The NFL Reminds Everyone Of Saquon Barkley’s Past Dominance