USC Football: Former Defensive Star Dealt to NFC Contender

A new destination.

Former USC standout Leonard Williams has never left New York in his professional career but that now changes thanks to a trade on Monday morning. 

The Giants traded the defensive tackle and old Trojan for a 2nd-round pick this year and a 5th-round pick in 2025 to the Seattle Seahawks in their championship push. 

The #Giants are finalizing a deal to send Pro Bowl DL Leonard Williams to the #Seahawks, per me and @MikeGarafolo, giving them financial flexibility. pic.twitter.com/GD3J44xh4z

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 30, 2023

The Giants made the postseason last year behind a resurgent Daniel Jones and head coach Brian Daboll, as they upset the Vikings to win their first playoff game since their Super Bowl in 2011. 

This season tells a completely different story as the team is now on their third-string quarterback and just lost to their cross-town rival Jets last weekend. 

Things are quickly unraveling for the G-men and trading Williams is just one step to a rebuild that looked to be over last year. 

Williams found his way to the NFC East after the Jets traded him back in 2019 after he spent four decent, but unspectacular years, with the other New York franchise. 

On the Giants, Williams earned a second contract which is a massive accomplishment for any NFL player given the violent nature of the sport. 

At a 3-year and $63 million price point, the Giants retained the former No. 6 draft pick before the 2021 season in a move that hoped to aid their rise back to playoff contention. 

The wheels have simply fallen off this year and Williams now finds himself in the Pacific Northwest. 

Seattle boasts a 5-2 record with several exciting pieces on both sides of the ball. 

Geno Smith won Comeback Player of the Year last season as he aired it out to DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett all season long. 

2023 hasn't been any different but Williams will join the fold on defense with Bobby Wagner, Tariq Woolen, and rookie standout Devon Witherspoon among others in a revitalized Legion of Boom. 

With new goals on the horizon, the Old Man of Troy has a great chance to compete for the first Super Bowl of his career this winter. 

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