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We aren't even 24 hours from free agency yet, but deals are already getting done. There had been optimism that Jason Pierre-Paul would return to the New York Giants, and that now appears to be the case.
The belief was that both JPP wanted to remain a Giant after the way the team stuck with him through his injury, and the Giants wanted him back after his performance and attitude since returning.
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting that a one-year deal has been done to keep the defensive end in New York.
The #Giants are expected to keep Jason Pierre-Paul, source said. It's a 1-year deal. He turned down more money elsewhere.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2016
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the deal is worth $10.5 million including incentives. Schefter also said the Arizona Cardinals tried to pry Pierre-Paul away from the Giants.
The life-altering injury Pierre-Paul suffered last summer created some trepidation to sign him to a long-term deal, but the hope is that his latest surgery will allow him to shed the protective club that he played with last season and use a more functional glove going forward.
This is just the first step in re-building the Giants' once-feared defense, and more work needs to be done. However, Pierre-Paul was impressively disruptive despite his handicap and improve his play as he gets healthier, continues to adapt to his new reality, and has a full offseason in Steve Spagnuolo's defense.