Giants DE Justin Tuck told reporters this week that he plans on testing the free agent in the coming.
“I will see what the market is for me,” Tuck said, per Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post. “I’ve never been in this situation before, and it’s a great opportunity for myself. I would be doing myself a disservice if I didn’t see what the market is, and I will.”
Tuck did mention that he and Giants are expected to have a face-to-face meeting in February, but Hubbuch adds that it sounds like more of a courtesy meeting anything else.
“We will sit down in a couple of weeks and see what happens, but obviously, the Giants are going to do what’s best for the Giants, and vice versa with me and my family,” Tuck said. “I understand where they’re coming from and what obstacles they have to overcome this offseason. There’s no guarantee, and that’s obvious. It’s a business, and [I] understand both sides of it.”
Tuck, 30, put together a very solid season, despite the Giants overall struggles this year. Pro Football Focus has Tuck rated as the No. 7 4-3 defensive end and he produced 57 tackles, nine sacks, a forced fumble and an interception this season.
It is conceivable that the Giants would allow Tuck to sign elsewhere during free agency given that they do have Jason Pierre-Paul, Mathias Kiwanuka, and Damontre Moore at defensive end.
With Tuck already in his thirties, he may have a hard time securing a solid contract considering that defensive end is one of the deepest positions in free agency. Last year, teams were reluctant to spend a lot on aging pass rusher, so Tuck could be in line for a similar deal to the one signed by Osi Umenyiora (two-year, $8.5 million total with $5 million guaranteed) last year.
We have Tuck listed as the No. 37 player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.
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