Next move unclear for JPP, Giants
FOUR franchise-tendered players ensured big paydays for years to come on Wednesday. Not surprisingly, Jason Pierre-Paul did not.
Wednesday’s 4 p.m. NFL deadline for teams and players with the franchise-tag designation to reach new, multi-year deals came and went without the injured Pierre-Paul and the Giants coming to terms on a new contract. Pierre-Paul hurt his hand in a Fourth of July fireworks accident, which led to the amputation of his right index finger last week, along with a skin-graft procedure and surgery to repair fractures in his thumb. The two sides cannot restart negotiations on a multi-year deal until the end of the regular season.
Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston and Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski all signed long-term deals on Wednesday and won’t have to play this season on a one-year franchise tag, which now is the only way JPP can play for the Giants in 2015.
A team source told the Daily News last week that there was “no chance” Pierre-Paul would be getting a long-term deal in the wake of the 26-year-old’s injuries. Odds were slim a new deal would be reached even before the accident occurred. The two-time Pro Bowler has yet to sign his one-year, $14.8 million franchise tender, which has complicated relations between him and the Giants since the incident has left his immediate future muddled. The Giants are still trying to figure out the full extent of Pierre-Paul’s injuries and what his prognosis is. Team officials didn’t get a chance to see Pierre-Paul at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami last week. It’s uncertain when Pierre-Paul will be able to return to the field and how his injuries will affect his play. His thumb injury in particular could keep him sidelined until halfway through training camp.
Indications are the Giants have no intention of rescinding the franchise tag, which would make Pierre-Paul an unrestricted free agent. The Giants would like to place Pierre-Paul on the non-football injury (NFI) list when training camp begins in two weeks, but they can’t do that unless Pierre-Paul, who is currently not under contract, signs his franchise tender.
A source close to Pierre-Paul previously told The News that the University of South Florida product intends to wait to sign his tender until he’s healthy. Whether he’s on the NFI list or remains unsigned, Pierre-Paul won’t be paid either way, so waiting to sign the tender until he’s physically ready to perform gives the defensive end more power. If Pierre-Paul were placed on the NFI list and remained there at the start of the regular season, he would not be eligible to return until after Week 6.
There is also a chance the two sides could negotiate new terms that would pay JPP less than what he would earn on the franchise tag if the Giants promised to keep him off the NFI list.
BIG BLUE INKS MILES: The Giants signed safety Jeromy Miles on Wednesday. Miles spent parts of the last two seasons with Baltimore, where returning Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo worked as a defensive assistant and secondary coach. The Giants also waived undrafted safety Justin Currie and wide receiver Marcus Harris.