On Monday, the New York Giants exchanged defensive lineman Leonard Williams with the Seattle Seahawks in return for two draft picks.
The Seahawks will be responsible for approximately $647,000 for the remainder of the season, which represents the prorated portion of the veteran minimum base salary of $1.165 million. As part of the trade, Williams, who had $10 million left on his $18 million base salary for 2023, agreed with the teams to reduce it to the veteran minimum. The Giants settled the remaining amount by providing Williams with a signing bonus.
"We've been monitoring his progress for quite some time, and we've known him for a while, given his Trojan background," Carroll remarked. "He's an exceptional football player, the kind of individual who can truly impact games. He's a tremendous talent."
Carroll described Williams as the kind of player who can seamlessly integrate into a new team and immediately make a significant impact. In terms of his role within Seattle's defense, Carroll mentioned that Williams is versatile and can be effective anywhere on the defensive line, although he characterized him as a "classic 3-technique."
"He's been excelling in that role for a significant portion of his career, and he's exceptionally skilled at it," Carroll emphasized. "He's an all-around player, versatile in both run and pass situations. He can apply pressure on the passer, creating challenges and disruptions for the opposition. He's not only a fantastic athlete but also a leader and a fierce competitor, precisely the type of individual you're fortunate to have on your team."
Leonard Williams plays for his first squad outside New York after four years and one day. Jets picked him sixth overall in 2015 NFL Draft. This transaction leaves a big hole in the Giants' defense, which has relied on Lawrence and Williams for years.