The New York Giants have several priorities ahead of free agency.
Notably, they’ve made it loud and clear that keeping star RB Saquon Barkley around isn’t one of them.
However, they could look to keep one of their veteran offensive linemen in town.
Justin Pugh wound up playing a huge role in the team’s offense in the second half of the season, playing 99% of the offensive snaps over the final 12 games of the campaign.
That’s why, now that he’s going to test free agency again, he wanted to make it loud and clear that he wants to stay in the Big Apple (via SNY TV).
“I love New York, I want to be back…I think they know the value and leadership that I bring to the locker room,” Pugh said.
Justin Pugh is hoping to return to the Giants next season:
“I love New York, I want to be back…I think they know the value and leadership that I bring to the locker room.” https://t.co/Z6ucizMtSK pic.twitter.com/97nxLFzDcM
— SNY (@SNYtv) February 24, 2024
Of course, he’s well aware of the fact that he’s not at the top of their shopping list right now, but he definitely hopes the team brings him back.
The former first-round pick started his career with the G-Men, serving behind Eli Manning for five seasons.
He then signed a very lucrative multi-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, but injuries kept him on the shelf more often than not.
He was unsigned in the offseason and had to work his way up the ladder by joining the Giants’ practice squad at first.
Coming off an ACL injury, he needed a little while to get his legs back under him, but he wound up making a big impact.
Now, GM Joe Schoen will have a big decision to make, as Pugh isn’t getting any younger, but he proved to have something left in the tank, and he shouldn’t demand a steep salary to stay in town.
The post Giants Free Agent Makes His Thoughts Clear About Possible Return appeared first on The Cold Wire.