Giants Re-up with Leonard Williams on 3-Year Deal

 Not much has gone right for the New York Giants up to this point in free agency, but on Tuesday they changed the narrative a bit when the inked one of their own, defensive lineman Leonard Williams on a three-year deal. 

Williams, who was acquired by the Giants from the Jets in the midst of the 2019 season, flourished last year for Big Blue recording 11.5 sacks on 57 tackles. It was by far his best season as a professional. The Giants had franchise tagged Williams twice, including this off-season, but both sides were deep in negotiations on a long term deal. 

Williams new contract will pay him upwards of $63 million with $45 million guaranteed. He would have made $19.5 million this season on the franchise tag. 

The cap hit from Williams deal will be roughly $11 million, providing the Giants $8 million in cap space for this season according to ESPN. 

As for Williams it's an incredible turnaround. He was a virtual non-factor with the Jets. Drafted in the first round by Gang Green in 2015, he underwhelmed in 4-1/2 seasons with Gang Green. He never became the disruptive force up the middle and on the edge that the Jets hoped he would become. 

Instead GM Joe Douglas traded Williams to Big Blue in the midst of the 2019 season for a 2020 third round pick and a 2021 fifth round pick. The Jets used that third round pick on Ashtyn Davis a safety from the University of California who recorded only 25 tackles in his rookie year with Gang Green. 

It's easy to say right now the Giants have gotten the better of the deal after Williams' explosive 2020 season.