The New York Giants are looking to pick up the pieces after a largely disappointing 6-11 season.
They will have to make a decision this offseason on star running back Saquon Barkley, the two-time Pro Bowler who is their only big threat on offense, as he’s about to become a free agent.
In addition, safety Xavier McKinney, who has emerged as a key member of their defense, is also going to become a free agent once the new league year begins.
Per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, New York could use their transition tag on McKinney in order to save some money that would’ve otherwise been spent on their franchise tag.
𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗦: The #Giants could potentially use the transition tag on free agent safety Xavier McKinney, per @NYPost_Schwartz
“It would cost the Giants $13.9 million, a nice savings from the franchise tag. The transition tag allows the player to negotiate with any other team… pic.twitter.com/8mUgGeXLFS
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) February 21, 2024
McKinney had the best season of his NFL career this year, finishing second on the team with 116 tackles (78 solo), and he was tied with cornerback Deonte Banks for the team lead with 11 passes defended.
The former second-round draft pick in 2020 is just 24 years of age and should have many good years ahead of him.
When the Giants won six of their first seven games and upset the Minnesota Vikings in the wild-card round of the playoffs last season, they did so largely with defense, but this season, they were just 26th in points allowed and 27th in total yards given up.
Another key pending free agent who they will have to find a way to keep is cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, who had eight passes defended and one pick-six this season.
Plenty of work will need to be done if the Giants are to get back to the playoffs anytime soon.
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