EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (WFAN) -- The Giants are moving on from Jason Pierre-Paul.
Big Blue traded the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday. The Giants are receiving a third-round pick in next month's draft. The teams are also swapping fourth-rounders, with New York moving back six spots from No. 102 overall to No. 108.
The Giants drafted Pierre-Paul 15th overall in 2010 out of South Florida. Over eight seasons, he had 58 1/2 sacks, 433 tackles and two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns. JPP was a Pro Bowl selection in 2011 and 2012, and he was a member of the Giants' last Super Bowl-winning team in 2011.
"We appreciate everything Jason has done for the Giants,” general manager Dave Gettleman said in a news release. “He was a fine player for us, and he helped our franchise win Super Bowl XLVI. We wish him well in the future.”
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In March 2017, New York re-signed Pierre-Paul to a four-year, $62 million contract with $40 million guaranteed. He is set to earn $12.5 million this season.
The trade creates $2.5 million in salary-cap savings this year, but the Giants will also have to eat $15 million in dead money.
Pierre-Paul, 29, was on the verge of establishing himself as an elite pass rusher in the NFL when he was involved in a fireworks accident on July 4, 2015, that cost him his right index finger and the tip of his thumb, and put his career in doubt. Not knowing whether JPP, a free agent at the time, would return to his old form on the field, the Giants pulled a long-term, $60 million contract offer off the table, and he ended up playing that season on the one-year franchise tag.
Pierre-Paul returned to play eight games in 2015, and then he finally earned his big-money contract after he registered seven sacks in 12 games during the Giants' 2016 playoff season. Last year, he had 8 1/2 sacks.
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With a new general manager, head coach and defensive coordinator, the Giants are in the process of reshaping a roster that produced just three wins last season. Defensive coordinator James Bettcher is making the switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4, which likely made Pierre-Paul expendable.
The trade is stirring speculation that the Giants could be eyeing North Carolina State edge rusher Bradley Chubb with the second overall pick in the draft.