While it's good news in the here and now for fans of the New York Giants that wiry defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul reportedly did little in the way of permanent damage to himself after a firework accident this weekend left him with severe burns and some potential nerve issues, it may not be good in the long-term for the Big Blue faithful or for Pierre-Paul himself.
On the heels of JPP's July 4th accident, a report from NFL.com has emerged that the Giants have decided to pull a long-term contract offer for Pierre-Paul, which they had previously made available to the stud pass-rusher earlier this offseason, off the table.
"The New York Giants are withdrawing their $60 million long-term contract offer to Jason Pierre-Paul following the star pass rusher's fireworks incident over the weekend, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday, per three sources informed of the situation."
Per Rapoport, the Giants brass no longer believes, given the timing of the mishap and the "apparent judgment displayed," that a "long-term offer is in the best interest of those involved at this point."
That's got to hurt for JPP, in more ways than one.
Of course, per Rapoport, the Giants belief was that Pierre-Paul wasn't planning to sign the deal prior to the July 15 deadline; the final date by which franchise tagged players can negotiate new long-term deals with their respective teams.
As such, JPP was apparently always destined to play the 2015 NFL season under the $14.813 million defensive end franchise tag, which he still has yet to sign.
Still, despite the revocation of the deal likely indicating that Pierre-Paul is no longer in the team's long-term plans, it sounds like the franchise's main concern at this point is simply getting him healthy and ready to play this year.
"Our first concern is for JPP's well-being," a Giants spokesperson told Rapoport.
