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NY Giants to use franchise tag on Leonard Williams as costly placeholder

Sep 14, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates his sack on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) with defensive end B.J. Hill (95) in front of offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva (78) and offensive tackle Zach Banner (72) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The NY Giants intend to use the franchise tag on defensive lineman Leonard Williams prior to Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline to do so, sources confirm to GMenHQ, as first reported by NFL Network.

Williams was set to become an unrestricted free agent when the new league-year began, but the NY Giants intend to use the franchise tag as a placeholder to extend their exclusive negotiating window to attempt to hammer out a long-term contract.