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Pat McAfee praises Seahawks for Leonard Williams trade
Pat McAfee explains why the Seattle Seahawks went out and traded for Leonard Williams.
In exchange for Williams, the Seahawks will send a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Giants, according to sources.
Sources told ESPN’s Jordan Ronan that the Giants are picking up most of the $10 million owed to Williams.
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 pm ET.
The trade came a day after the Giants lost to the NFC East’s last-place New York Jets, dropping to 2-6. The Seahawks beat the Cleveland Browns to improve to 5-2 and lead the NFC West.
The Seahawks have gotten strong play from defensive tackles Dremont Jones and Jaron Reed this season, but they lack depth beyond those two in senior Mario Edwards, and they needed another difference-maker after losing linebacker Usenna Naosu to a season-ending pectoral injury in Week 7.
The Seahawks’ trade for Williams marks the most significant deadline general manager John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll have made since adding safety Quandre Diggs from the Detroit Lions in 2019.
On his Seattle Sports 710-AM radio show Monday morning, Carroll was asked if the Seahawks would try to make an addition before the deadline.
“We’re always competing,” he said. “We’re always competing, and if there’s an opportunity to do something, we’re always there … Johnny’s in it.”
The Seahawks no longer have any draft picks in 2022 with the Russell Wilson trade with the Denver Broncos, but they did get a 2024 third-round pick from another trade with Denver in April’s draft, helping to offset the second-round pick. Rounder they will send the Giants to Williams.
After the Seahawks beat the Giants in Week 4, Carroll praised the work Seattle’s offensive line did against what he called the best interior defense they’ve faced all season, citing Williams and Dexter Lawrence.
The move seeks to add resources for the future as the Giants struggle. Williams was in the final year of a three-year, $63 million contract signed through 2021. After the team committed to Lawrence this offseason, it’s unlikely he’ll return for such a huge price next season.
A source told Ranan that Williams was one of several Giants players who drew interest before Tuesday’s trade deadline. New York could still make moves, though the team recently said it was their intention not to trade Saquon Barkley back.
Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and wide receiver Parris Campbell are two potential trade options.
Dave Gettleman’s previous Giants regime traded for Williams from the Jets in 2019. That cost them third- and fourth-round picks. The difference is that the Giants are in the midst of a losing season, while the Seahawks are potential NFC contenders.
Four years and one day later, Williams leaves New York for the first time in his life. He was taken sixth overall by the Jets in 2015. That leaves a sizable void in the middle of a Giants defense built around Lawrence and Williams the past few years.
The Giants defense will now shift its focus to Lawrence and outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, who had three sacks Sunday against the Jets and now has 8.5 this season.
Williams has 1.5 sacks this season and 39.5 in his career.
News of the trade was first reported by NFL Network.
ESPN’s Brady Henderson contributed to this report.
