Giants Plan Franchise Jason Pierre-Paul If They Can’t Agree On A Long-Term Deal

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the New York Giants are planning to franchise free agent DE Jason Pierre-Paul unless the two sides are able to reach a long-term deal before March 2.

• Steve Serby of the New York Post previously reported that the Giants are in the process of negotiating to keep Pierre-Paul in place with the non-exclusive franchise tag.
• However, a recent report from Jordan Raanan of NJ.com mentioned that the Giants have still haven’t talked to free agent DE Pierre-Paul regarding a long-term contract extension.

The non-exclusive franchise tag would force another team to part with two first-round picks in order sign Pierre-Paul away from the Giants.

According to Serby, the Giants would prefer that this deal pay Pierre-Paul in the $11 million-to-$12 million range, rather than $14.6 million for the 2015 season.

This would give New York more time to work out a long-term extension with the defensive end and reduce his 2015 cap figure in the process.

Pierre-Paul, 25, played out his five-year, $20.05 million rookie contract that included $11,629,807 million guaranteed.

This season, Pierre-Paul recorded 77 tackles, 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a recovery over the course of 16 games. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 7 defensive end in a 4-3 system out of 59 qualifying players.

We have him rated as the No. 8 player in our Top 100 Free Agents list.