As the trade deadline approached this season, the New York Giants elected to keep veteran cornerback Janoris Jenkins. They believed he would be a vital piece to the puzzle moving forward. He still has one-year remaining on his contract, worth $14.75 million in 2020. Jenkins would only count $3.5 million in dead-cap, though, which could make him a casualty in that respect. However, his latest antics could have sealed his fate.
General manager Dave Gettleman needs to begin cracking down on players making poor decisions via social media or lacking effort during games. Jenkins has been reprimanded for both, as he failed to attempt a tackle on a touchdown in week 10 against the Cowboys and then attacked a fan via Twitter during live-practice on Wednesday.
https://twitter.com/BigBlueUnited/status/1204790800942555136
Generally, using a demeaning word towards people with mental illnesses in an attempt to strike back at a fan isn’t the best use of practice time. From my perspective, this was a cry for help from Jenkins, who’s trying to force his way off the team one week after starting in the slot against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Just last week, the cornerback complained due to his lack of work against opposing top wide receivers. The Giants have favored their youth players — DeAndre Baker and Sam Beal. This theory is that matching them up against talented pass-catchers will give them more film to study and a standard of play they must reach.
However, it might have cost them their best corner, considering Jenkins’ backlash and lack of respect for the organization.
This gives the New York Giants three options moving forward:
1.) They retain him at $14.75 MM in 2020
2.) They cut him and pay $3.5 MM in dead cap
3.) They attempt to trade him after a decrease in value
This scenario is exactly why GM Dave Gettleman should be on the hot seat. A team looking to contend for the playoffs with a need in the secondary could have benefitted from Jenkins’ value. The Giants could have gained a 3/4th rounder as compensation, precisely what they are preparing to lose in the Leonard Williams trade.