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4 cutthroat moves the NY Giants could make to create cap space

By Desmond Novack

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 05: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 05: NFC running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants reacts as he warms up prior to an NFL Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium on February 05, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 05: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 05: NFC running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants reacts as he warms up prior to an NFL Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium on February 05, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 21: Leonard Williams #99 of the New York Giants looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 21: Leonard Williams #99 of the New York Giants looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

2. Release Leonard Williams

If Leonard Williams and the NY Giants are unable to come to terms on either a contract extension or restructure, we could very well see Williams being released in order to save a ton of cap space for this offseason.

Releasing Williams would free up around $12 million in cap space, which the Giants could use to address other positions like linebacker or corner. However, this move could cause more harm than good. While it would be nice to put that money towards other positions, we must not underestimate how good Williams is.

In 12 games this past campaign, Williams tallied 41 tackles, four sacks, 23 stops, and 33 pressures, garnering a PFF player grade of 77.9. The duo Williams and Dexter Lawrence form on the defensive line was incredibly fun to watch this season and will be for the future.

Williams may not be worth his $32 million cap hit for 2023, but either restructuring his deal or even extending him will lessen the hit.  Williams has stated himself that he is open to restructuring his contract, but at the end of the day his agent doesn’t seem too excited about that idea. If Williams does want to be back, though, he’s got to be open to a pay cut.

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