Adam Schefter reports that the Giants are trading DE Jason Pierre-Paul and a 2018 fourth-round pick to Buccaneers for a 2018 third-round pick and a fourth-round pick.
The Giants have already announced the trade:
“We appreciate everything Jason has done for the Giants,” general manager Dave Gettleman said. “He was a fine player for us, and he helped our franchise win Super Bowl XLVI. We wish him well in the future.”
This is a pretty big move for both teams.
Trading Pierre-Paul opens up the possibility that the Giants will use their first-round pick on N.C. State DE/OLB Bradley Chubb and the Buccaneers continue to bolster their defensive line after a disappointing 2017 season for the unit.
With the Giants moving to a 3-4 defense under new DC James Bettcher, there was questions about Pierre-Paul’s fit in the scheme. This move will allow the Giants to save $12.5M in cash this season, according to Field Yates.
Pierre-Paul, 29, is a former first-round pick of the Giants back in 2010. He played out his rookie contract with New York before agreeing to a four-year, $62 million contract that includes $40 million guaranteed.
Pierre-Paul stands to make base salaries of $11,250,000 (2018), $13,250,000 (2019) and $11,250,000 (2020) over the remainder of the contract.
According to OverTheCap.com, trading Pierre-Paul will free up $2.5 million of available cap space while creating $15 million in dead money.
In 2017, Pierre-Paul appeared in all 16 games for the Giants and recorded 68 tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and five pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 43 edge defender out of 106 qualifying players.
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