Leonard Williams Plans To Test Free Agent Market If Giants Don’t Offer Him Top-Tier Money

Giants DL Leonard Williams tells Daryl Slater of NJ.com that if the team isn’t willing to offer him “top-tier” money, he’s prepared to test the open market next year. 

“If I don’t think they’re giving me what I think I’m worth, then obviously I think hitting free agency would make sense,” Williams said. “Everything is going to have to match up.

“I definitely think I’m a top-tier interior defensive lineman, in that top percentage of the d-linemen. I wouldn’t say Aaron Donald [level]. But I would definitely put myself up there with a lot of those other top guys.”

Williams said it’s “definitely a logical possibility” that will see what’s out there for him in free agency. 

“I know that I want to get a big contract, and I know that I am worth a lot,” Williams said.

Williams did, however, make it clear that he’s open to being back with the Giants if they’re willing to meet his asking price. 

“Yeah, I would be, if I felt like they were offering me something that I think is worth it,” Williams said.

“I like to be committed to where I’m at,” Williams added. “I like the fact that the GM and the owner wanted me here. I think it speaks volumes that they were willing to trade for me in a rebuilding year. I think that shows that they want me to be a part of this program.”

Last month, Adam Schefter reported that the Giants planned to open extension talks with Williams before Thanksgiving. 

Schefter said the two sides will take some time to get to know each other and assess how long they want their relationship to last, but the Giants didn’t trade for Williams to only have him for the last half of 2019. 

New York traded a third and a fifth-round pick to the Jets for Williams before the NFL’s trade deadline last week. The fifth-round pick becomes a fourth-round pick if the Giants extend Williams. 

Williams, 25, is a former first-round pick of the Jets back in 2015. He was in the final year of a four-year, $18.6 million rookie contract and was set to earn a base salary of $2,975,574 in 2018 when the Jets picked up his fifth-year option last April.

Williams will make a base salary of $14.2 million for the 2019 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2020.

In 2019, Williams has appeared in 11 games for the Giants and Jets and recorded 30 tackles, no sacks, and a pass defense.

We have him featured in our Top 50 – 2020 NFL Free Agents list.