Breaking: Giants make 'blockbuster' trade
Newly hired Giants general manager Dave Gettleman is evidently serious about rebuilding New York’s roster following a disappointing year that saw the Giants go 3-13.
On Thursday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported a “blockbuster” trade involving longtime Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.
The Giants are trading Pierre-Paul to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a pair of 2018 draft picks — one in the third round, one in the fourth. New York will also send its 2018 fourth-round pick to Tampa Bay.
The 29-year-old, a two-time Pro-Bowler, had an up-and-down career in New York.
In the 2011-12 season, just his second in the NFL, he had 16.5 sacks and 86 total tackles. The Giants won the Super Bowl that year, thanks in large part to their defensive line, and most people thought it was just the tip of the iceberg for Pierre-Paul.
But he would never again reach those lofty numbers. Pierre-Paul did have another solid year in 2014, with 12.5 sacks, but during the following offseason, he lost part of his right hand in a July 4 fireworks accident.
Still, after a 2016-17 season in which he accumulated seven sacks in 12 games, the Giants handed him a 4-year deal worth $62 million, only to see him struggle throughout the 2017 season.
Though he played in all 16 games for the first time since 2014, Pierre-Paul had just 68 total tackles and eight sacks. Though those aren’t terrible statistics, the Giants expected more considering his sizable contract.
As noted by 247 Sports, Thursday’s trade likely happened because the defensive end would have counted $17.5 million again the salary cap this year.
Now #Bucs DE Jason Pierre-Paul has a cap number of $17.5M and a salary of $11.25M. Tampa assumes that, while taking a pass-rusher off the Giants hands who doesn’t fit their new 3-4 scheme.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 22, 2018
As a result, the Giants dumped his salary and got a few draft picks in the process.
The Buccaneers, meanwhile, have revamped their defensive line. Pierre-Paul will join newly signed defensive end Vinny Curry and tackle Beau Allen. Tampa Bay’s line will be anchored by six-time Pro Bowl tackle Gerald McCoy.
Pierre-Paul, a 2010 first-round draft pick out of South Florida did not endear himself to Giants fans near the end of last season. Following a meaningless Week 17 home game, he expressed disappointment that more fans hadn’t shown up to watch the Giants win their third game of the year.
“Obviously, the so-called fans weren’t out there, but I appreciate all the fans that came out to show their support. Without them, it’s really just us,” he said at the time.
“So, I appreciate the fans that came out. They didn’t have to but those are the true Giants fans,” Pierre-Paul added.
With Pierre-Paul gone, it appears that there’s a greater chance the Giants will take highly regarded NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb with the second pick in next month’s draft.
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