Collins to test free agency after Giants skip franchise tag

EASTRUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) >> The New York Giants are letting threetime Pro Bowl safety Landon Collins test the free- agent market without any restrictions.

The Giants on Tuesday elected not to put a franchise tag on their leading tackler in each of his four seasons with the team.

The NFL announced later in the afternoon six players were designated as non-exclusive franchise players. Collins was not on the list.

Teams can begin signing free agents at 4 p.m. EDTonMarch 13, a week from Wednesday.

In a tweet, Collins thanked the organization for four “great years” and said he was looking forward to the next chapter of his football career.

Collins’ tweet came less than three hours before the NFL deadline for teams to put a franchise tag on an unrestricted free agent. The tag would have cost the Gi-

ants $11.15 million against their 2019 salary cap and general manager Dave Gettleman gave indications at the NFL combine last week that the price was steep.

“I want to thank the Giants organization for be- lieving in me and allowing me to have 4 great years in NY,” Collins tweeted. “I can’t express how great it was to play with my teammates and in one of the greatest cities in the world. I will forever cherish my time in the blue and white and the relationships I have built in the building and in my community. Now on to the next chapter....”

The remaining Giants safeties are not playmakers like Collins. Veteran Michael Thomas and Sean Chandler are the top guys at the position, so the team may look to sign a free agent or draft a safety.

After the opening day of the 2015 draft, the Giants traded up to get Collins with the first pick in the second round. In return, New York gave Tennessee its second round pick (the eighth in the round), along with fourth and sevenround choices.

It turned out to be a smart move by then- general manager Jerry Reese, well worth the $6.12 million the team paid him for four seasons.