Versatile offensive guard Kevin Boothe reportedly drew interest from the Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bearsearly in free agency.
All along, the New York Giants placed a priority on bringing back Boothe once they found a creative way to free up salary-cap space.
Mission accomplished. The Giants re-signed Boothe to a one-year contract, NFL.com's Kimberly Jones reported Monday.
The Giants were believed to be less than $2 million under the cap, with reports that veteran lineman David Diehl might restructure his contract to provide relief.
A career backup from 2007 to 2010, Boothe emerged as a valuable injury replacement in 2011 before nailing down the left guard job and improving as a run blocker last season. He placed 22nd in Around The League's free-agent offensive linemen rankings.
Boothe's return means the Giants will have their entire starting offensive line back for the 2013 season.
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