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How ex-NY Giants’ Romeo Okwara’s deal with Lions impacts Leonard Williams

By Danny Friedman

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 22: Quarterback Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against defensive end Romeo Okwara #78 of the New York Giants during the second quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 22: Quarterback Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against defensive end Romeo Okwara #78 of the New York Giants during the second quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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The NY Giants made a mistake waiving Romeo Okwara in 2018, a mistake the Detroit Lions continue to benefit from.

Okwara has re-signed with the Lions for a 3-year, $39 million deal sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 

Okwara will not enter free agency and will stay home in Detroit where he’s played the past three seasons. Okwara was cut by the Giants at the end of training camp back in 2018 which looked like a questionable move then, and an even bigger regret now looking back.

Since joining the Lions, Okwara has shined. In three seasons, Okwara has racked up 19 sacks in the last three seasons including 10 sacks in 2020 and at age 25, he was destined to get a big deal this season.

In two seasons in New York, Okwara was a backup and only contributed one sack in a total of 22 games through two seasons with four starts. He joined New York as an undrafted free agent from Notre Dame in 2016. Romeo’s shining moment in New York came on NBC’s Sunday Night Football vs the then-#1 seed Dallas Cowboys. Okwara sacked Dak Prescott in his first career start along with a tackle for a loss, three QB hits, and a pass deflection.

Okwara cashed in this season during a complicated market. Staying home made the most sense instead of testing the uncertain waters of the free agent market, especially under such dire salary cap circumstances in 2021.

It’s interesting to note that Okwara got a 3-year deal for $39 million, an average of $13 million per season.

The Giants have since moved on from Okwara and are dealing with their own negotiations with Leonard Williams. It’s been reported Williams is asking for over $20 million, a  hefty amount of money by any means.

When comparing the two players, their production is similar.

As mentioned before, Okwara has 19 sacks last three years, he’s 25, and coming off a 10 sack season. Williams has 17 sacks his last three years, he is 26, and is coming off an 11.5 sack season. Both players were entering free agency yet so far only Okwara has reached terms with his team. It’s a  big disparity in *reported* contract demands for similar production and both players are one year apart in their respective primes. Okwara plays a more “premier” position at EDGE yet Williams also carries unique value as a disruptive interior pass rusher.

An all-around impactful player for Detroit, Dan Campbell will be glad to keep Romeo Okwara around. Between his sacks, forced fumbles, and QB hits, Okwara has become a multi-dimensionally disruptive player. He can cause havoc in many ways and will look to continue to do so over the next three years with the Lions.

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