The New York Giants Need To Extend Markus Golden

The New York Giants‘ defense has been one of the NFL’s worst this season, once again. Overall, the team has not had a high sack total, ranking in the bottom half of the league with 32 team sacks on the season. But the team’s defense is not without a few strong individual performances.

Rookie defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence has been impressive. Dalvin Tomlinson has also performed well this season, too. But the biggest surprise on the Giants’ defense in 2019 has been edge rusher Markus Golden.

Markus Golden Has Exceeded Expectations in 2019

This past offseason, the New York Giants signed Markus Golden to a one-year deal worth $3,750,000. This was an inexpensive contract for a player the Giants did not necessarily expect to be an impact player. But Markus Golden has exceeded all expectations in 2019 and should be extended by New York long-term this offseason.

Markus Golden leads the Giants in sacks this season with 9 total through 14 games. The sack total might not be astronomical, but the advanced stats indicate that Golden has been in the opponents’ backfields very often. Markus has generated 39 quarterback pressures, and 14 quarterback hurries with 24 knockdowns.

The former Arizona Cardinal has been generating massive amounts of pressure for the New York Giants’ defense. He might not be a game-wrecking pass-rusher, and the Giants should still look to upgrade the position (I’m looking at you, Chase Young). But as all Giants fans should know, you can never have enough pass-rushers (see the 2007-2008 Super Bowl champion New York Giants), and Markus Golden can, at the very least, be New York’s second pass-rusher.

Markus Golden Wants To Be Back

Markus Golden has been an impactful player for the New York Giants this season. He has given them every reason to want him back in 2020 and beyond. And that’s precisely what Markus Golden wants.

The Giants have not begun discussing an extension with Markus Golden yet, but when asked by Newsday, Markus made it clear that he would “love” to return. Here’s more of what Markus had to say about his time and future with Big Blue:

“It’s been great being here competing,” he said. “Of course it’s been a down year, but at the end of the day, everybody here has been great people. Everybody is trying to do whatever they can do to win. I know everybody here wants to win. That’s a good sign because I want to make sure I’m able to win.” -Markus Golden via Newsday.com

Giants fans also received confirmation from Markus Golden’s father that he wants to return via Twitter:

The New York Giants will have to make a decision on Markus Golden next month. The edge rusher has exceeded all expectations this season and played some solid football. Golden and his family are interested in wearing blue again next year, and the Giants should be interested in bringing him back, too.