The New York Giants kick off training camp this week — a pivotal time when they will determine the makeup of their roster for the upcoming 2024 season. As they prepare for the summer practices, there is still time for general manager Joe Schoen to make some last-minute roster moves.
Last summer, Schoen and his front office staff got a couple of in-house deals done, signing LT Andrew Thomas and DT Dexter Lawrence to long-term extensions to ensure the future foundation of the team. The Giants could make a similar move this offseason and extend starting safety Jason Pinnock on a new deal.
PFF suggests the Giants should extend Jason Pinnock ahead of training camp
While listing one move every team should make ahead of this summer’s training camp, Pro Football Focus’s Thomas Valentine suggested that the Giants should rush to extend Pinnock:
“Pinnock had an excellent 2023 with the New York Giants,” Valentine wrote. “The former Jets safety earned a 67.7 PFF overall grade in his third NFL season across 16 starts. He showed off his ability as a blitzer, recording 10 pressures, the ninth most among safeties. He also allowed a solid 79.4 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks.
“The Giants’ secondary is one of the weaker units in the NFL on paper, and Pinnock, the best player in the secondary, is a free agent at the end of the 2024 season. The direction of the Giants is unclear; they could be in a full rebuild and in search of a new quarterback in 2025. Regardless, re-signing Pinnock to lock down a key defensive player is pivotal.”
Pinnock has developed into a crucial member of Big Blue’s defense. He had a breakout campaign in 2023, his first season as a full-time starter, totaling 85 combined tackles, six pass defenses, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions (including a 102-yard pick-six).
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Why extending Pinnock would make sense
Pinnock is the Giants’ most established starter of the five in the secondary, yet, he only has 23 career starts under his belt. He’s still a young and ascending player at 25 years old with a bright future ahead leading New York’s defensive backfield. Under new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, the Giants’ defense will rely on Pinnock’s experience.
If Pinnock turns in another solid season in 2024, his price tag will only increase. He’s heading into the final year of a four-year contract that paid him an average salary of $937,613. For the 2024 season, Pinnock has a $3.11 million cap hit.
His wages will undoubtedly increase on his next deal, but signing Pinnock now, rather than next offseason when he hits the open market, could save the Giants some money.
The Giants’ secondary is a young and inexperienced unit, but Pinnock brings the defensive backfield leadership and continuity. His importance should be emphasized and his future with the team should be prioritized through a contract extension this summer.
