Jason Pierre-Paul was negotiating a long-term contract extension with the New York Giants last summer when a fireworks-related accident that damaged his right hand put those talks on hold. After playing in eight games last season, he will come back to the team on a one-year contract.
Pierre-Paul recorded a sack and 21 total tackles last season, and managed to get back on the field with a mitt protecting his right hand. It was apparently enough to generate interest from multiple organizations outside New York.
The 27-year-old defensive end confirmed in a post on his Instagram account that he will return to the Giants and also that he turned down an offer from at least one other team: the Arizona Cardinals. Pierre-Paul did not appear to lose any of his speed or athleticism, though he acknowledged he needs to figure out how to tackle with his mitt.
"I would like to thank each and every organization that reached out to my agent during this process especially the Arizona Cardinals," Pierre-Paul wrote. "It was hard to decide, but me and my family decided that it's best for me to stay in New York, just being in the NFL is a privilege and I am honored."
Pierre-Paul signed a one-year deal stuffed with performance incentives last offseason, as the Giants were unsure if he could even get back to the football field. The defensive end had 42 sacks in his first five seasons for the Giants, so the team was also keen on not letting him go, either.
Thus far in the offseason, the Giants are reportedly trying to negotiate a pay cut for wide receiver Victor Cruz and also met with defensive end Charles Johnson. With Pierre-Paul on board at least one more season, the Giants can focus on shoring up their defensive line as Robert Ayers, Barry Cofield and Cullen Jenkins are all set to hit the open market Wednesday.
"We're pretty healthy with our cap situation right now," Giants general manager Jerry Reese said at the draft combine in Indianapolis. "We have to wait and see who's going to hit the market. We'll definitely look in the market and see if there are players available for us to recruit. Hopefully we will be able to land some guys if some guys are available."
