The New York Giants traded former Pro Bowl defensive lineman Leonard Williams to the Seattle Seahawks as teams across the NFL began making their final roster-tinkering moves ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.
The Seahawks will bolster their defensive line for a playoff push in the NFC while the Giants begin restocking for next season and beyond. New York will receive a second-round pick in next year’s draft and a fifth-round choice in 2025 from Seattle.
Both teams announced the trade Monday.
Williams wrote on social media that it had been “an honor” to be part of the Giants organization “and everything it stands for.” He thanked coaches, staff, teammates and fans, and he acknowledged the trade by writing: “Seattle here we come!”
Williams is in his ninth season and has had stints with the New York Jets and the Giants. He has played defensive end and defensive tackle and has totaled 39.5 sacks, including a career-best 11.5 for the Giants in the 2020 season. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in the 2016 season while with the Jets.
The Giants, after reaching the playoffs last season in Year 1 for Coach Brian Daboll and General Manager Joe Schoen, have slumped to a disappointing record of 2-6 this season. They suffered a particularly discouraging 13-10 overtime loss Sunday to the Jets in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets got a tying field goal at the end of regulation after Daboll passed up a fourth-and-one attempt to seal a victory, then Graham Gano missed a 35-yard field goal try for the Giants. The Jets got another field goal in overtime to prevail, sealing the Giants’ status as sellers at the trade deadline.
The Seahawks, at 5-2, lead the NFC West by a half-game over the slumping San Francisco 49ers.
Williams, 29, is eligible for unrestricted free agency in the offseason. The Giants reportedly will pay a sizable portion of the remainder of his $18 million salary for this season as part of the trade terms. He is in the final season of a three-year, $63 million contract.
