Seahawks acquire star DL Leonard Williams from the Giants for 2 draft picks
Leonard Williams, the Pro Bowl defensive lineman, is headed to the Seattle Seahawks, according to an NFL Network report.
The New York Giants traded him to the Seahawks for a second-round pick in 2024 and a fifth rounder in 2025 and are reportedly taking on the majority of the $10 million owed to Williams. On Instagram, Williams thanked the Giants and their fans.
Leonard Williams has been traded to Seattle in exchange for a 2024 2nd round pick and a 2025 5th round pick.
Details: https://t.co/xygEJdYRMf pic.twitter.com/gShh8bB2PI— New York Giants (@Giants) October 30, 2023
"It’s been an honor to be apart of the Giants organization and everything it stands for, this place will always have a special place in my heart," Williams wrote. "Thank you to all the coaches, staff, teammates and fans that have supported me through my career here. NY it’s been real. Now it’s time to continue my career back in the west coast. Seattle here we come ! GO HAWKS!!!"
New York is trading Williams the day after losing to the New York Jets — the team that originally drafted Williams sixth overall in 2015.
In his second season with the Jets, Williams was selected to his lone Pro Bowl. Williams was traded to the Giants for a 2020 third-round pick and a 2021 fifth-round pick in 2019. In 2020 and 2021, the Giants used the franchise tag on Williams. He signed the one-year tender the first time. The following year, though, the Giants signed Williams to a three-year, $63-million deal, which included $45 million guaranteed.
Williams has 1.5 sacks in 2023. In five years with the Giants, Williams had 204 tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 22.5 sacks in 61 games played.
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.