After watching the first half of the season unfold, Jason Pierre-Paul is interested in continuing his career. The veteran edge rusher is seeking a deal, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The 34-year-old was one of many experienced options off the edge who found themselves on the open market for an extended period. His free agency has extended into November in 2023, making it longer than last season’s (which ended in late September). To no surprise, Rapoport adds that Pierre-Paul is seeking a deal with a contending team.
A Super Bowl winner with the Giants and Buccaneers, the three-time Pro Bowler could offer a rotational presence to a number of playoff-bound teams in the waning stage of his career. Pierre-Paul joined the Ravens last season, and he logged a healthy 60% snap share. That playing time resulted in three sacks and five tackles for loss in 14 games during the regular season. The former All-Pro could again chip in on the statsheet with a 2023 deal under the right circumstances.
“I been looking at a lot of football lately, and I feel like I can still make a contender shift now,” Pierre-Paul said in a phone interview with Josina Anderson of CBS Sports. “There are plenty of teams that still need a pass rush. So I’m just waiting for that call. If you go back and watch the film with the Ravens, you can see I played very physical… Whatever team I end up on is going to get the best of me. I’ll be all out; I don’t need a whole season. There are teams I want to be on.”
A reunion with the Ravens would come as little surprise, given the team’s injury concerns on the edge. Both Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo face uncertain futures with respect to health, though the team is hopeful at least one will be able to suit up later in the season. If that doesn’t turn out to be the case, though, Baltimore’s defense (which leads the league in sacks despite relatively limited production from the OLB spot in particular) would no doubt be able to find a role for Pierre-Paul.
The Jaguars could also be a team to watch with respect to the former first-rounder. Jacksonville was one of numerous suitors to show interest in Panthers sack artist Brian Burns, and the AFC South leaders also made an effort to acquire Chase Young from the Commanders ahead of the trade deadline. A recent report indicated the Vikings’ Danielle Hunter nearly found himself in Jacksonville this offseason, so it would not come as a surprise if the team made a run at Pierre-Paul. In any case, the latter could soon find himself on an active roster for the stretch run.
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