New York Giants, Joe Judge to ‘push’ Leonard Williams

New York Giants, Leonard Williams
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 29: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Leonard Williams #99 of the New York Giants in action against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on December 29, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Eagles defeated the Giants 34-17. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Leonard Williams is entering his first full season with the New York Giants. The Giants acquired Williams from the New York Jets before last season’s NFL trade deadline for a 2020 third- and 2021 fifth-round draft pick. The Giants utilized the franchise tag on Williams this offseason, which pays him roughly $16.1 million for the 2020 season.

New head coach Joe Judge is encouraged by the team’s conversations with Williams, and the Giants have made it clear that they plan to “push” the defensive lineman.

“Leonard has had a really good spring in terms of what we’re able to do working virtually,” Judge said, per Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. “He’s done a phenomenal job working with our coaches. He’s been great in meetings. He’s been very active. We’ve had great conversations. And we’ve expressed to him how much we’re gonna work and push him, that we want to see him maximize his potential.”

Judge says there has been minimal talk about a long-term deal for Williams.

“There have not been extensive talks on contracts since the spring’s gone virtual.”

The head coach wants Williams to maximize his potential this season.

“The biggest focus I have on Leonard right now is that this year, he can really go ahead and maximize his potential. I’m looking forward to working with him for this year, and I’m really looking forward to working with him on the field, finally, to be honest with you.”

The Giants have put a lot of stock in their defensive line. Alongside Williams is Dexter Lawrence (one of the team’s three first-round draft selections in 2017), Dalvin Tomlinson, B.J. Hill, RJ McIntosh, and Austin Johnson, a free-agent signee.

Williams appeared in eight games for the Giants last season. Across those games, he totaled 26 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, and 0.5 sacks. Across his five seasons in the NFL, Williams has totaled 266 combined tackles and 17.5 sacks.