When the New York Giants acquired defensive end Leonard Williams from the New York Jets in exchange for two draft picks, they not only needed to make room on their roster — which they did by releasing Tae Davis — they had to find additional room under the cap.
The release of Davis helped mildly, but a larger chunk was needed and that came by way of Rhett Ellison.
According to NFLPA records, via Field Yates, the Giants converted $1,876,765 of Ellison’s base salary into a signing bonus, creating $938,382 in cap space, which was just enough to fit Williams in under the wire.
While restructuring Ellison’s contract helped get Williams in the door, the Giants remain in a somewhat precarious position and in need of additional space in order to maneuver later on this season in the event some players go down with injury and need to be replaced.
Other notes: Tight end Isaiah Searight, who is currently on injured reserve, has been reinstated from his four-game suspension.
