Perhaps the best way to describe the life of a general manager in the public eye is "damned if you do, damned if you don't." Handling the scrutiny is right near the top of job requirements.
How Giants general manager Dave Gettleman deals with that aspect of his position: If it's in the best interest of the organization, do it. If not, don't do it.
Leonard Williams is a good case in point.
Last month, the Giants placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on the defensive tackle for whom they sent the Jets two draft choices – a third-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft and a second choice that is a fifth-rounder in 2021 – midway through last season. Williams was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the NFL's new business year on March 18.
"Really what it came down to was we felt good about our cap space," Gettleman said Monday on a conference call with Giants reporters. "We felt for what Leonard brings to the table and for our team, it was more prudent to put the franchise tag on him."
A franchise tag is essentially a one-year deal with a salary based on the NFL average of the top five at his position. It also grants a window to negotiate a long-term contract. If there is no agreement before July 15, Williams will play the 2020 season under the one-year deal. If Williams signs a contract with another team, the Giants will receive two first-round draft choices as compensation.
In the meantime, Gettleman doesn't anticipate a distraction for the team, nor will he discuss the timing of contracts.
"I think we'll be okay," he said. "I always think about bad things because, in my opinion, one of the biggest responsibilities I have is to eliminate distractions and let the coaches coach and the players play. You can't guarantee anything in this life, but we have gotten to know Leonard really well and I feel really comfortable with the decision."
The sixth overall pick in the 2015 draft, Williams has played in 79 games with 75 starts. His career numbers include 266 tackles (136 solo), 17.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and six passes defended.
Williams, 25, in addition to 2017 second-round draft choice Dalvin Tomlinson, 2018 third-round selection B.J. Hill, 2019 first-rounder Dexter Lawrence and free-agent addition Austin Johnson, gives the Giants a talented rotation of young defensive linemen.
When Gettleman executed the trade for Williams in late October, he said the "goal is to sign him long-term." At the NFL Combine five months later, Gettleman admitted what it would look like if they didn't bring back the defensive tackle.
"Oh, absolutely," he said in Indianapolis. "I'll get killed. I'll get killed. I have thick, rhino hide."
This is nothing new for Gettleman, a veteran with more than 30 years in the NFL as a scout and general manager.
"Well, part of the tight rope that I walk on is short-term and long-term," Gettleman said. "Part of the long-term is we have some good, young players right now. We've got Dalvin Tomlinson, (Evan) Engram and (Jabrill) Peppers. We have to make decisions on them. They're some good, young players. After another year, you guys are going to be banging on me about Saquon (Barkley).
"As I used to tell the guys down in Charlotte (Gettleman was the Panthers' general manager from 2013-17), when you wouldn't spend all your money in free agency, I'd say, 'Listen, you're going to kill me about this? Well, you're going to double kill me when we don't have money to extend Luke Kuechly or Cam Newton or whomever.' It's a collaborative decision we make as we talk about how we're moving forward. Right now, this is the decision we made. We're just going to move forward the way we are now."
View photos of defensive lineman Leonard Williams.
New York Giants DL Leonard Williams (99) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
DL Leonard Williams (99)
New York Giants DL Leonard Williams (99) during a week 15 game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
Service members at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
DL Leonard Williams (99)
DL Leonard Williams (99)
DL Leonard Williams (99)
New York Giants Media Day Photography Shoot.
New York Giants Media Day Photography Shoot.
New York Giants Media Day Photography Shoot.
New York Giants Media Day Photography Shoot.
New York Giants Media Day Photography Shoot.
DL Leonard Williams (99)
New York Giants Media Day Photography Shoot.
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 23-17 in overtime. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and New York Giants linebacker Lorenzo Carter (59) celebrate a play in the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) runs around the edge as Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson (65) blocks during an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 23-17 in overtime. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
DL Leonard Williams (99)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates in the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday December 29th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) gets set at the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants in overtime, 23-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates a sack during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday December 29th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) tacklesPhiladelphia Eagles running back Boston Scott (35) (26) during an NFL football game Sunday December 29th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates in the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants cornerback Deandre Baker (27) celebrates with defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants in overtime, 23-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Monday December 9th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Miami Dolphins running back Patrick Laird (42) is tackled by New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) tackles Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders (26) during an NFL football game Monday December 9th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive linemen B.J. Hill (95), Dexter Lawrence (97), Dalvin Tomlinson (94) and Leonard Williams (99) lead the team onto the field before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday December 15th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) stands in the tunnel before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday December 22nd, 2019 in Landover, Md (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) stops Miami Dolphins running back Myles Gaskin (37) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Lorenzo Carter (59), defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) look on during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants in overtime, 23-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams in action during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) warms up before an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday Dec.1 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Packers defeated the Giants 31-13. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants' Leonard Williams during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams (99) pass rushes during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Colts 19-14. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams (99) points to fans as he leaves the field after an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Chicago. The Bear defeated the Giants 19-14. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New York Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams (99) reaches for New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday Nov. 10, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets defeated the Giants 34-27. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Dallas won 37-18. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams (99) waits for the snap during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Colts 19-14. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) runs around the edge during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Dallas won 37-18. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants' Leonard Williams (99) rushes toward New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during a Monday Night NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Monday November 4, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) motions after a play against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) reacts after tackling Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) react after the Dallas Cowboys scored a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants DL Leonard Williams (99) during a week 15 game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants DL Leonard Williams (99) during a regular season week 17 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during a week 17 regular season game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on Sunday December 29th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates a missed field goal during a week 14 regular season Monday Night Football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Monday December 9th, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
New York Giants DL Leonard Williams (99) during a regular season week 17 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants DL Leonard Williams (99) during a week 15 game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants DL Leonard Williams (99) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
