Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley will be the most publicized and talked about of the Giants’ free agents this winter, but there’s an equally important trio coming into contract limbo on the defensive side: linemen Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence and safety Julian Love.
When it comes to Williams, he said Monday that he wants to play next to Lawrence as long as possible, but if the latter gets a big contract, it’s possible the former, who carries a $32.2 million cap hit in the final season of his deal, might be a cap casualty.
“I definitely love this team and I want to be here,” Williams said. “I want to play with Dex as long as possible. Playing with someone like that helps me individually, and we help each other and the defense when we have two stout guys up front.”
Williams’ cap hit is the third-highest for a non-QB, and of the last three seasons, he played 2020 on the franchise tag before signing a three-year, $63 million extension – one that, if terminated, would save the Giants $18 million in real money and $20 million against the cap.
“I try to let things like that play out,” Williams said. “I believe the plan is the plan and things are going to work out the way they work out. I did my best this year. I fought through injuries and played my hardest. I’m sure I’ll end up somewhere, if not here. I want to play as long as possible.”
The Giants do have $52.5 million in cap space next year, but they did cut James Bradberry last year and Williams missed time with both an MCL sprain and neck issues that ended his streak of consecutive games player, so he could suffer the same fate. Williams said he “would probably consider a pay cut” but then walked that back.
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“That’s probably something I would have to talk to my agent about,” he said, “and probably something I would have to see how [the Giants front office] is feeling and all that. I haven’t really thought about it yet, but I’ll consider all possibilities.”
Lawrence, meanwhile, is on a $12.4 million team option for next year, but his market for a long-term extension could jump to double that on the open market – and if the Giants decide to go that route now, that’s less money in the kitty for everyone else, including Williams.
“He deserves it,” Williams said of Lawrence. “The world got to see the fruits of his labor this year. He’s been playing outstanding all year.”
As for Love, he is an unrestricted free agent, and while he said Monday he hopes he doesn’t reach free agency, he will “do what’s best” for himself.
Xavier McKinney, his safety-mate in the defensive backfield, hopes that what’s best is a return to Big Blue.
“He’s meant a lot to me, just how he carries himself and goes about his business. This is my third year with him, so I know how he works, and he’s helped me develop as a player,” McKinney said. “He’s taught me different things about the game and how to see things differently, and we work really well together. I hope he’s back, but everyone has different situations and had to do what’s best for them. I’ll be on him because I want him to be here, but I’ll support him and know he’ll make the best decision.”
Follow Lou DiPietro on Twitter: @LouDiPietroWFAN
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