According to Paul Schwartz, the Giants are considering using the transition tag to try and keep S Xavier McKinney this offseason.
The transition tag would cost New York $13.9 million and give the team the right of first refusal for any offer McKinney receives.
This would be less than the projected $16.7 million tag from the regular, non-exclusive franchise tag. However, the transition tag does not entitle the Giants to draft compensation if McKinney signs an offer sheet.
The thinking for the team here would be the chance to retain McKinney on a more affordable one-year deal while he gauges his market.
McKinney, 24, is a former second-round pick of the Giants back in 2020 out of Alabama. He just finished the final year of his four-year, $8,391,049 rookie contract that included a $3,662,581 signing bonus.
He’s scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
In 2023, McKinney appeared in all 17 games for the Giants and recorded 116 total tackles, two tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, a forced fumble, two recoveries, three interceptions and 11 pass defenses.
We have him listed in our Top 100 2024 NFL Free Agents list.
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The GMEN have 3 foundation pieces on defense on all 3 levels.
The DL has Big Dex, the LBers have Bobby-O and the secondary has X-MacK.
Why mess with the defensive foundation?
GMEN GM Trader Joe Schoen needs to keep X-MacK for the long haul.
And NO, Dane Belton, Gervarrius Owens and possibly Isaiah Simmoms are not viable replacements at all.
That’s Isaiah SIMMONS.
his name is paul schwartz, not brian schwartz.
Fixed, thanks for letting us know. Mixed him together with another NY Post writer.