“I was shocked at the return”: A Giants supporter’s perspective on the Seahawks’ Leonard Williams transaction

The Seahawks have Leonard Williams, but how is this trade viewed from the perspective of a Giants fan?

Dre’Mont Jones was a free agent acquisition that caused a stir for the Seattle Seahawks, and they have now added another defensive lineman to their roster ahead of the trade deadline. Leonard Williams was acquired by the Seahawks from the New York Giants on Monday in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick.

Williams’ salary for the remainder of this season will only be partially owed by Seattle, but at a significant draft capital cost. At the end of this season, Williams will also become a free agent, so it’s possible that the Seahawks traded a second-round pick for a 10-game rental.

Look at Big Blue View; their commenters appear to think this is a great deal.

When all is said and done, it’s less of a “Williams sucks” response and more of a second-round selection in exchange for a deal that is about to expire. The Giants need some draft money and are most likely going to miss the playoffs, if you haven’t figured that out by now.

Ed Valentine, managing editor of Big Blue View, responded to my inquiry about the trade as follows:

Leonard Williams is a good player, although I’m not sure he is the same player he was a couple of years ago. He is also a good guy who cares about winning.

I was shocked at what the Giants were able to get for him — a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-rounder. Of course, the Giants ate almost all of the $10 million base salary he was owed.

Williams is a free agent at season’s end. I would think giving up that much means the Seahawks intend to keep him beyond this season. Word of warning that he won’t come cheap. Williams historically drives a hard bargain.

As a player, you can move him around the line of scrimmage and he can do a lot of things. What he doesn’t usually do is compile huge numbers.

In his debut season with the Giants three years prior, Williams recorded a career-high 11.5 sacks. With every passing year, those sack totals have plummeted until he has just 1.5 in 2023. His flashy numbers aren’t as noticeable as they were when he first played for the Giants and the New York Jets.

Pete Carroll emphasized Williams’ adaptability when the transaction was announced.

“He can play anywhere,” Carroll said. “He can play five-technique, he can play three-technique and he plays on the center as well. He’s done all of that. He brings a lot of versatility.”

Hey, we already got Julian Love and he’s performed better since his slow start to the season. Let’s see how acquiring a higher-end former Giants starter works out.