New York Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams has filed a grievance against the team regarding the status of his franchise tag.
The NFLPA will officially file on Williams' behalf (via Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk):
“According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Williams submitted his case to the NFLPA, which will file the grievance for him.
“Williams signed the franchise tag this week, but the Giants designated him as a defensive tackle. His camp argues he’s a defensive end.”
Williams would stand to make $1.7 million more in 2020 if he is indeed labeled a defensive end.
The 25-year-old is also filing a grievance with respect to how much money he made under the fifth-year option last season, though that issue pertains to the New York Jets (via Williams):
In addition to that fight, Dan Duggan of TheAthletic.com reports that Williams filed a grievance about how much money he made under the terms of his fifth-year option last year. The Jets classified Williams as a tackle and paid him $11.4 million rather than the $14.2 million that would have gone to a defensive end.
The Giants acquired Williams from the Jets last October. He played in eight games for New York, racking up 26 combined tackles and 11 quarterback hits.
There seems to be a general disconnect between the Giants and Williams' camp. The two sides reportedly were “not close” to an extension before the Giants slapped Williams with the franchise tag, and now there is more bickering over money.
Both sides have an onus with respect to the tag: The Giants want to save money, while Williams is looking to get paid as much as possible in what might be a walk year.