Former New York Giants offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz has found a new NFL home, signing a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions.
Schwartz signed a four-year, $16.8 million free-agent deal with the Giants prior to the 2014 season, but injuries wrecked his time in New York. He played only two games in 2014 thanks to a dislocated and broken ankle, then broke his leg after 11 games in 2015.
Schwartz's deal in Detroit shows how fortunes can change in the NFL. The Detroit Free Press writes that Schwartz is "expected to be a backup interior lineman for the Lions this fall but could push young guards Laken Tomlinson and Larry Warford for playing time."
So, Schwartz, 29, has gone from being a well-paid veteran counted on to anchor a revamped offensive line to a probable backup on a line that surrendered 44 sacks a season ago.
John Jerry and Bobby Hart are expected to compete for the right guard job with the Giants that belonged to Schwartz at the beginning of the 2015 season.