NFL free agency hasn't even started yet, and the Giants, in desperate need of a pass-rusher, are already watching their options dwindle.
On Tuesday night, defensive end Charles Johnson, who visited East Rutherford over the weekend after being released by the Panthers, opted to return to Carolina, according to ESPN. Johnson, who has 63.5 sacks, said the Giants were his runner-up, admitting to ESPN that he came "pretty close" to choosing Big Blue.
But in the end, the Giants struck out.
"Ultimately, my heart is in Carolina," Johnson told ESPN. "It's not about the money. Carolina is home and I wouldn't have been happy if I went somewhere else."
So Johnson didn't leave even though he reportedly could have made more money elsewhere. He reportedly took a one-year, $3 million deal to return to Carolina, turning down $6 million per year from other suitors.
Johnson called the Giants a "first-class organization," although that's little consolation to a club that's still looking to bolster a pass rush that managed a paltry 23 sacks last season. Jason Pierre-Paul is now set to return next season, but the club is currently searching for a defensive end to play opposite him, with veteran Robert Ayers, who led the team in sacks last season, set to hit the open market on Wednesday.
Johnson seemed like a prime option, which is why the club hosted him over the weekend. But he's already off the market, and so is ex-Bills pass-rusher Mario Williams, who reportedly is headed to the Miami Dolphins on a two-year deal. The Giants had interest in Williams over the weekend, although he never did visit the club, and his initial $10-million-a-year asking price may have been too high for the Giants.
Defensive tackle Malik Jackson, the top interior pass-rushing option in this year's free agent class, is also no longer available, set to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
This all could force the Giants to bid for Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon by default. Vernon, Miami's transition tag player, could be available when the market opens Wednesday, especially since the Dolphins now have Mario Williams. The Giants certainly have the cap space to make a play for Vernon, although the Dolphins have the right to match any offer to the defender.
Link : http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants-charles-johnson-return-panthers-article-1.2557675
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