The New York Giants have had an eventful offseason, even as the most important box is yet to be checked. Grades on the Giants’ early free agent signings have varied, but their offseason haul is better than several other teams for a single reason.
They simply didn’t lose a lot of talent.
Their premier departing free agent, receiver Darius Slayton , quickly returned with a three-year, $36 million deal. That leaves edge rusher Azeez Ojulari as the biggest contributor from the 2024 team on the open market, but injuries and inconsistencies might land him back in New York.
Two Giants defensive backs, safety Jason Pinnock and corner Adoree’ Jackson, signed with NFC rivals.
Pinnock signed with the San Francisco 49ers as free agency began. According to David Lombardi, his deal will cost San Francisco $2.2 million against the cap. It’s a fully guaranteed deal, which bodes well for his job security.
Pinnock, more than Jackson, figures to play a real role in his new team’s defense. The 49ers just lost Talanoa Hufanga, weakening the unit, and are working to get younger and cheaper in the offseason.
Claimed in 2022, Pinnock is one of general manager Joe Schoen’s biggest wins. After a part-time role in 2022, he emerged as a starter for two years, and while his coverage took a step back in his contract year, he was a steady hand atop the defense. The Giants were fine at safety in 2024, especially as the rest of the defense crumbled in front of it.
Jackson, meanwhile, signed with the rival Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, per Adam Schefter. Unsurprisingly, it’s a one-year deal, and he’ll be tasked with keeping the Super Bowl champions stable on the boundary.
Jackson struggled – mightily – in 2023, but after signing with the Giants late in the offseason, he participated in the revolving door of perimeter corners. He was surprisingly good, too, staying afloat against the run and offering consistent coverage.
However, he (like the rest of the secondary) struggled to produce turnovers, lessening the dynamism in his game. Jackson did not catch an interception in 2024, logging five passes defended and a forced fumble. He has just four interceptions to his name across 14 contests.
The Giants, of course, will play the Philadelphia Eagles twice in 2025. They will also play host to Pinnock and a new-look San Francisco defense, although the date of said outing is yet to be announced.
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