Has Osi Umenyiora played his final game as a member of the New York Giants? Team co-owner John Mara isn't willing to say so. At least publicly.
"I don't know about that," Mara said, according to ESPNNewYork.com. "We'll see what happens. I would love to have him back. He's been a great player for us. He's a great guy. He's been a huge part of our two Super Bowl wins, but there are economic considerations and we'll just have to see what happens."
After the Giants' season ended, Umenyiora told a New York radio station he believed it was "time to move on."
"I've earned the right to be a free agent," Umenyiora said. "It's been 10 years. I signed a seven-year deal, and they made me play out all seven of those years. If they wanted me back, I think something would have been done before now."
Umenyiora's issues with the Giants go beyond the financial. He became a situational pass rusher this season, starting in just four of 16 games. He finished with 43 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles, his lowest production in a full season.
Umenyiora, 31, believes there's a team out there that will give him financial security and the opportunity to start again. That won't be the Giants, which makes Mara's comments little more than a sign of respect for a longtime employee.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.
