Wednesday’s 4 p.m. National Football League deadline for teams and players with the franchise-tag designation to reach new, multi-year deals came and went without the injured Pierre-Paul and the Giants coming to terms on a new contract.
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The injuries are different and so are their positions on the field, but Pierre-Paul may be able to take some solace in what Lott accomplished after dropping down to nine fingers. He is a franchise-tendered player and had until Wednesday to negotiate a deal longer than the one-year contract that’s on the table.
A team source told the Daily News last week that there was “no chance” Pierre-Paul would be getting a long-term deal in the wake of the 26-year-old’s injuries.
The Giants have the option to remove the franchise tag but have not done so, even though Pierre-Paul did not meet with team personnel who traveled to Florida to assess his injury last week.
Everything else about Pierre-Paul’s situation – including his health – is as murky as a swamp. Pierre-Paul was released from the hospital Tuesday and will need at least 6-to-8 weeks to recover from a broken thumb and an amputated index finger.
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Jason Pierre-Paul was one of only two guaranteed starters on the Giants line (along with defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins), and the only established pass rusher with 12.5 sacks last season. Whether he’s on the NFI list or remains unsigned, Pierre-Paul won’t be paid either way, so waiting to sign the tender until he’s physically ready to perform gives the defensive end more power. With Pierre-Paul now out for the first half of the season, their hopes of reaching the playoffs for the first time since their Super Bowl victory in 2012 remain bleak as well. The Giants also waived wide receiver Marcus Harris and safety Justin Currie.
