The New York Giants were not about to face the possibility of losing star defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. According to a report from Yahoo Sports insider Rand Getlin, the Giants have indeed placed the franchise tag on Pierre-Paul.
The #Giants will place the franchise tag on DE Jason Pierre-Paul, per a league source.
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) March 2, 2015
With the NFL announcing the 2015 franchise tag figures, this means that the former first-round pick is set to earn $14.813 next season should he sign the tender.
Pierre-Paul, 26, recorded 77 tackles and 12.5 sacks for the Giants this past season. In five years with the team, the former South Florida standout has recorded 42 sacks and eight forced fumbles.
While the Giants won’t see the near $15 million count against their cap until Pierre-Paul signs the tender, this move means the team will have to cut some fat from the roster moving forward. New York is currently nearly $23 million under the cap. Franchising Pierre-Paul means that the team would have barely enough to cover its 2015 draft class.
Photo: USA Today