The New York Giants are reportedly planning to use the franchise tag in advance of the March 2 deadline on looming free agent defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, according to the New York Post. Specifically, the team is reported to be using the non-exclusive franchise tag which would force any interested team into giving up two first-round picks should they sign JPP.
This move virtually guarantees that Pierre-Paul will be back in New York for at least the 2015 season. There's no doubt that Pierre-Paul is a rare commodity; a combination of youth and production that plays stout run defense and gets after opposing quarterbacks. The 26-year-old had 12.5 sacks last season. However, the move will eat up a significant portion of the team's salary cap space.
The franchise tag for defensive ends in 2014 was $13.116 million. That number should rise a bit next season. The Giants are only expected to have around $17 million in cap space this offseason, meaning JPP's franchise tag will hinder their ability to sign other free agents.
This move does give the team a bit more time to try to come to terms on a long-term agreement, though. New York is rumored to be staying put at the $11 million to $12 million annual range, while Pierre-Paul is seeking out a max deal.
"The guy has some ability to be a game-changer," general manager Jerry Reese said of the pass-rusher after the season. "We didn't see enough of that in the first half of the season."
"If I could stay here, I'd love to be a Giant for life," Pierre-Paul said in December.
But what he would really love is to be one of the highest-paid defensive players in the NFL. Will that happen in New York, or will he be gone after next season?
