The Giants have placed a franchise tag on Jason Pierre-Paul.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported the team's decision Monday, per a source informed, and added that it would cost Big Blue roughly $17 million to retain the defensive end on the tag. The team later confirmed the news Tuesday.
Pierre-Paul signed a one-year, $10 million deal with New York last year after he struggled to regain form following a July 4 fireworks accident in 2015. JPP bounced back this past season and racked up seven sacks in 12 games in 2016. He was leading the team in sacks and quarterback hits (16) before a groin injury in Week 13 caused him to miss the remainder of the season.
He could be facing another prove-it season with this upcoming campaign, however, if the two sides aren't able to come to terms on a long-term deal. The pass-rushing specialist told Garafolo in January that he will not sign another one-year contract.
The defensive lineman is ranked No. 10 on Around The NFL's top 101 free agents list, but just like last offseason's top-10 appearance, he wasn't unable to cash in on a long-term contract. Father Time isn't exactly on the 28-year-old pass rusher's side either.
JPP is the latest quarterback nightmare to get tagged, as Chandler Jones and Kawann Short both suffered similar fates earlier in the day. The Chargers also taggedMelvin Ingram on Monday, leaving pass-rushing hungry teams fewer top options to sign once the new league year starts on March 9.
