Giants Legend Hoping for NFL Comeback

The New York Giants will hope to forge a new era of edge-rushing prowess with the selection of Penn State’s Abdul Carter at No. 3 overall. Carter will enter a room with star Brian Burns and 2022 first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux, who just saw his fifth-year option accepted. Chauncey Golston adds depth and versatility to the group, forming one of the best pass rushes in the sport.

New York won’t be adding more high-profile edge rushers anytime soon, perhaps disqualifying itself from late entries into free agency.

That includes Giants legend Jason Pierre-Paul, who told TMZ he is attempting an NFL comeback after his season on the open market.

"I've got abs!" he said. "I haven't had abs since my rookie year. So that's how hard of work I'm putting in."

Pierre-Paul appeared in three games in 2023 between the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints. In 2022, he found significant playing time with the Baltimore Ravens.

However, his career is more distinctly split into two parts: the eight seasons he spent in New York and the seven seasons after he was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Across four seasons with Tampa Bay, he generated 33 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.

Pierre-Paul made the Pro Bowl in 2020, when he earned 9.5 sacks and won a Super Bowl. He hasn’t amassed more than three sacks in a season since.

As a star on the Giants, Pierre-Paul posted two double-digit sack seasons, including a 16.5-sack campaign on the Super Bowl-winning 2011 squad. He remains an esteemed figure in New York’s sports history, although his most notable moment might be the fireworks accident that robbed him of 1.5 fingers.

His options will be limited, having not been a productive pass rusher in several years. At 36 years old, he may not even garner real interest at all.

Pierre-Paul would like to play again, but if the football world says goodbye, he can retire with a formidable NFL career to his name.

"Anybody that gives me the opportunity, I'm ready to go and I'm ready to rock right now.”