Why the New York Giants need to extend Julian Love
New York Giants safety Julian Love is set to become a free agent this off-season following the best season of his career in 2022. The Giants have some big extensions to handout with QB Daniel Jones and RB Saquon Barkley also set to hit the open market. But Big Blue should not forget about Love, a player whose contract extension they should also prioritize.
For the first time in his career, Love was a full-time starter in the Giants' defense. He had previously been used as a rotational piece in the secondary but was elevated into the starting lineup under Wink Martindale's tutelage. This spurred a breakout campaign in which Love led the Giants' defense with 124 combined tackles and added two interceptions and five passes defended.
According to Spotrac, Love has a projected market value of $7.9 million per season. This is a significant increase from the average $822,715 salary that the Giants' 2019 fourth-round pick has been making on his rookie contract.
One place Love is not likely to land in free agency is Philadelphia. He recently caught scrutiny in the media for saying Eagles HC Nick Sirianni is "in for a free ride right now" on Good Morning Football.
Pro Football Focus recently described Love as a "free agent the Giants can't afford to lose." PFF referred to Love as a "Swiss Army Knife" because of his ability to line up all over the defense. Love played 271 snaps in the box, 154 in the slot, and 494 at free safety. Love’s 13 missed tackles are the second fewest among 43 safeties with at least 150 tackles over the past three seasons, per PFF.
Love was a captain on the Giants' defense for the first time in 2022. He is one of the locker room's biggest leaders. Love described himself as "the level-headed person this locker room needed at times" this season to The New York Post.
“I think I had a huge impact on this team this year, not just with play but with who I am as a person," Love said. As one of the team's most valuable players on and off the field, the New York Giants need to prioritize giving Julian Love a contract extension this offseason.
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