The Giants may not be happy, but a delighted Leonard Williams is the one with the incredible grievance.
When the two sides canceled negotiations on a long-term extension before Wednesday’s deadline and agreed that Williams would play on the franchise label in 2020, this left the Giants’ highest-paid defensive player holding a lottery ticket. with an additional opportunity to increase his earnings.
The NFL Players Association filed a grievance on behalf of Williams to reduce its franchise salary from $ 16.1 million allocated for defensive tackles to $ 17.7 million for defensive ends. An arbitration hearing to settle the dispute has been delayed by restrictions on coronaviruses, according to a league source.
General manager Dave Gettleman resisted the convention by swapping two draft picks, including a fifth round of 2021, for the Jets for a free agent waiting in the middle of a lost season. Gettleman then doubled against his own instincts by applying the label – previously described by him as a distraction in the locker room – because he believed it when Williams sat in his office and said “he wants to be here “
Never afraid of being daring and accused by some players of being ruthless, Gettleman seems surprisingly naive to believe that Williams would take a reduction in his hometown. Franchise tags assign a value to a player and that number becomes the starting point – not consensus ground – for the average annual salary over a multi-year extension.
“You changed expectations by labeling it,” said Joel Corry, analyst at CBS Sports, a former agent. “The smartest game would have been to [cheaper] transition tag on it, see what the point is and let the market dictate the deal while you still have the corresponding rights. A franchise label for him is a mulligan. A guy who has had a career year is unhappy because he risks getting hurt. You gave Leonard a present. “
Here is an overview of the Williams Accord from different angles:
Comparison
The Chiefs labeled defensive forward Chris Jones at $ 16.1 million, but the parties agreed Tuesday to an extension of $ 85 million over four years, with $ 60 million guaranteed. Williams was looking for about $ 18 million a year.
The comparison? Jones has 24.5 bags in the past two seasons. Williams has 17.5 bags in five years, including half a bag last season.
The bags make defensive linemen rich – even indoors – and Williams’ strength stops the race. He had the biggest difference in the NFL between his press rate (11.3%, 19 hits) and his sack rate, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Giants ranked 22nd in the rush defense prior to the trade but only reached 20th after Williams replaced BJ Hill as a starter.
Grievance
Like Williams, the Steelers ‘Bud Dupree and the Buccaneers’ Shaq Barrett also filed franchise grievances claiming $ 17.7 million for defensive ends, not $ 15.8 million for linebackers.
Jadeveon Clowney refused to sign his linebacker offer in 2019 and was traded to the Seahawks. The Ravens and Terrell Suggs compromised the pay difference between two positions in 2008.
The deciding factor in such default cases is usually Xs and Os. Williams played 464 defensive tackle against 257 defensive tackle in 2019, according to PFF. The change in the Giants’ coaching staff and defensive systems could prompt a different use argument in 2020.
Close winger Jimmy Graham lost a grievance at being paid as a wide receiver in 2014 by the Saints despite the alignment for 67% of his shots in the slot or outside.
The arrow points in favor of the Giants.
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Compensatory election
Due to their own offseason spending on free agents James Bradberry and Blake Martinez, the Giants would not have received a compensatory choice in the 2021 NFL draft if they had not scored Williams and had signed elsewhere.
By keeping Williams for another season, the Giants may be rewarded with an extra pick somewhere in the third to seventh rounds of the NFL 2022 draft if he leaves the next offseason for a contract that is more important than any sign of. incoming free agent. The Giants are expected to have $ 35 million in ceiling space.
If Williams has a decisive year, the Giants will have traded two draft picks and paid $ 16-18 million in 2020 for the right to outbid other teams in March.
What could have been
Regardless of his final salary, Williams eats a ceiling space that could have been distributed over three or four free agency entries.
Possible combination: Cornerback Logan Ryan at $ 8 million to $ 10 million, plus linebacker Jordan Jenkins ($ 3.75 million, Jets) after an eight-bag season, plus defensive tackle Beau Allen (3.75 million dollars, Patriots). Add rookie center Matt Hennessey ($ 610,000, Falcons) as the third round pick if the swap has never taken place.
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