Leonard Williams on Jets Return: 'Will be a Little Odd'

Former New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams returns to face the New York Jets this week

One week after being traded from the New York Jets to the New York Giants, Leonard Williams is now getting ready to face his old team. 

Williams, acquired last week in a trade that sent two mid-round picks to the Jets, made his debut for the Giants on Monday night. He had a solid game for his new team, registering three tackles in a 37-17 home loss to the Dallas Cowboys. 

Now Williams gears up for this weekend against the Jets, the team that made him a first round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. 

“I think next week will be a little odd,” Williams said after the game.  

“One, being that the Giants and Jets don’t normally play each other in the season, so it’s like ironic that the one time they do make a trade together, we play them in the same year after the trade. But at the same time, I think I’ll be more comfortable with my teammates, more comfortable with the defense and I’ll be able to play faster next week.” 

It was a bit surreal for Williams to be a part of a trade not only between two teams in the same market, but who share the same stadium and then will play each other just two weeks removed from the trade. 

In many ways, Williams is a perfect fit for the Giants. He’s a young defensive lineman who can play in the 3-4 or the 4-3 and brings an outside pass rush that the Giants have been lacking. He showed flashes in his Giants debut, bringing solid pressure off the edge. 

And given that he is in the final year of his rookie contract, the Giants could be a long-term home for Williams as they continue their own rebuilding project. 

As for his old team, Williams said he caught some of the highlights from Sunday’s Jets 26-18 loss at the Miami Dolphins. 

He admits that “It’s not mine anymore. This is my team now” while also acknowledging that Sunday against the team that traded him “is going to be fun.” 

Big picture, however, the 2-7 Giants need a win. The loss to the Cowboys put a serious dim on their already faint playoff hopes. 

“Going forward, we basically have to treat almost every game like a playoff game,” Williams said.  

“You don’t want to take any more losses than we already have. We want to turn the tables over and get the ball rolling. Once we get a win, just keep stacking some wins.” 

With Monday night’s result, the Giants have lost five straight games.