The New York Giants sent two draft picks to the New York Jets in exchange for defensive lineman Leonard Williams knowing full well that he’d need to be re-signed in order to make the investment worth it.
That was a gamble general manager Dave Gettleman said he was willing to take, but with one week until the official start to free agency, the two sides are not even remotely close to a new deal.
The #Giants have an interesting decision to make late this week: Do they franchise tag star DL Leonard Williams? Sources say the two sides are not close on a contract extension and Williams will have a strong market. The tag is a possibility, but so is letting him hit the market.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2020
It had been falsely reported last week that the Giants and Williams had a contract in place, with the author of said report turning out to be an imposter employee of SNY.
At the 2020 NFL Combine, Gettleman made it clear the Giants would like to sign Williams long-term, but also recognized the backlash he’d face if an agreement couldn’t be reached.
“I’ll get killed. I’ll get killed. I have thick, rhino hide,” Gettleman said.
It’s a good thing that Gettleman does have that thick rhino hide, because with time rapidly running out and a substantial market forming, it’s beginning to look as if the Giants are going to lose out on Williams and two much-needed draft picks.
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