New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams has had an up and down past few years. He managed only half a sack during the season he was traded to the Giants, and many expected him to fall flat, but he was able to turn thing around to have a career high in sacks. There’s some reasons why that might have happened. Change of scenery, being with the team from the start of the year instead of arriving in a trade, and all that.
However, there’s another link in this story that played a role in getting Williams back as a Giant on a huge three year deal. That link is the coaching staff, which changed entirely from the one that was in charge at the time of the original trade.
“I do well under a coach that pushes you and tries to get their best out of you. And that’s definitely what this coaching staff does,” Williams recently confirmed to reporters.
The biggest change for Williams was Patrick Graham taking over the defense, and it was Graham’s system that was able to get him open often enough to register 11.5 sacks. Considering how the offseason led to a big deal, Williams has plenty of reasons to be thankful for Graham’s coaching.
“[The coaching staff] doesn’t care if you’re a rookie just now coming in or you’re a guy that’s been in the league for a long time. They’re going to try to get the best out of you. And you know, I think I thrive well under an environment that, that pushes you,” Williams continued.
It’s not the only similar praise Joe Judge and his staff have gotten, and it seems to be true enough. At least in thee case of Williams. We can see his increase on the field since the team cleaned up its coaching staff with our own eyes, after all.
He compared it to older days and playing in high school when things weren’t all about the money and the media narratives.
However, Williams ironically did take the money to stay when he agreed on a long term deal with the Giants, which will leave everyone within the fanbase hoping that his performances this year are on par with 2020. With how things look roster wise, the Giants can’t afford to swing and miss on this big time contract.