The Giants are interested in signing both of their significant defensive ends this offseason, as Dan Graziano of ESPN.com tweets. The team is looking to retain both Jason Pierre-Paul and Robert Ayers and they have plans to speak with their reps this week. 
The Giants were expected to try and retain Ayers, but the news regarding JPP is somewhat surprising. Earlier this month, it was reported that the Giants were very ready to let the defensive end test free agency and go elsewhere this offseason.
Pierre-Paul has been one of Big Blue’s fiercest defenders since they drafted him 15th overall in 2010. The 27-year-old end totaled 42 sacks from 2010-14, including a career-high 16.5 during the Giants’ Super Bowl-winning campaign in 2011. However, his career took a terrible turn last summer when he lost his right index finger thanks to a July 4 fireworks accident.
Pierre-Paul returned to the field in November and ended up appearing in eight games, registering 26 tackles and a personal-low one sack. Despite his statistical decline, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) still ranked Pierre-Paul a solid 30th out of 91 qualifying edge rushers. The site remained impressed with his pass-rushing ability, though it gave him a poor grade against the run. He clearly disagrees in regards to the latter, having stated in December that, “I think I play the run better than I play the pass.”
Ayers has played in exactly 12 games in each of the last two seasons for the Giants, but he has proven to be a disruptive force each time. This past season, Ayers notched a career-high 9.0 sacks to go along with 41 total tackles, and the Giants’ pass-rush unit would be lacking if he signs elsewhere.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
JPP certainly won’t be getting the type of payday he envisioned, but as he continues to get used to his new limitations, I think he can get close to the level he was at before the accident. An incentive-laden deal could still end up being a very lucrative one for him, and I’m sure the Giants, or whatever team he ends up with, would be happy for him to meet those incentives.
A late-bloomer, Ayers delivered big on his Giants deal and given the cap space Big Blue has, they could easily bring him back even if he’s going to require a substantial raise. He’s the kind of multi-dimensional player that could anchor the line from a run-stopping standpoint while holding his own as a pass-rusher. The Giants would be wise to retain Ayers but consider alternatives to JPP.
The way JPP handled the Giants organization before his injury and then after his injury deserves no loyalty from the Giants. Matter of fact I think the Giants would be stupid to waste money and time on a player they don’t if he will ever be able to perform for the amount of money he wants. But then again the Giants seem to throw good money after bad they did it with Kwinuka and the BC LB whose name escapes me.
I would not want him to go Anywhere in the Division. Heck, I wouldn’t want him to go anywhere in the NFC. I Would try to re-sign him….
Either to a short term deal (although not at exactly the money he wants) and observe if his production stabilizes around where it was pre-injury. Then sign him accordingly.
Or, go with an incentive heavy contract and give him the opportunity to achieve them. Either for the length of contract – or maybe in the first year or two make it incentive heavy, with more guaranteed money after that. Going with the latter, the team would need an “out” before the guaranteed money kicks in in case JPP’s body isn’t able to make the adjustment.