New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul is coming off a tremendous 2016 performance that saw him record seven sacks in 12 games.
The former Pro Bowler also missed the final four games of the season with a groin injury. Despite this, Pierre-Paul is surely looking to get paid like an elite pass rusher in free agency during the spring.
According to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY, Pierre-Paul is looking for a deal similar to the five-year, $85 million contract Olivier Vernon signed with the Giants last spring.
“According to a source familiar with his situation, he has his eyes set on at least the five-year, $85 million deal (with $52.5 million guaranteed) the Giants gave Olivier Vernon,” the report read. “Given the numer of teams with cap space to spend who are likely to be looking for a pass rusher — including the Cowboys — he might end up with more.”
A total of $17 million per season with nearly $53 million guaranteed seems a bit absurd. Though, as the report stated, there’s going to be a ton of teams with a whole host of cash to spend in free agency. With some of these squads potentially switching to a 4-3 defense (JPP’s preferred defense), that will make his market even more interesting.
For his part, Pierre-Paul has indicated recently that he’s done playing under prove-it, one-year deals (more on that here). If that’s the case, either New York will have to place the franchise tag on Pierre-Paul and hope he changes his stance or let him test the open market. At that point, a departure from the Giants could be in the cards for JPP.
