The New York Giants placed the unrestricted free agent tender on outside linebacker Markus Golden on Monday, per ESPN's Field Yates.
Golden, 29, is a free agent and can still negotiate and sign with other teams. The Giants would not receive any compensation should he sign elsewhere, but he would count toward the 2021 compensatory pick formula.
If Golden remains unsigned past July 22, or the start of training camp, he would only eligible to play for the Giants in 2020. He would have until the Tuesday after Week 10 of the regular season to re-sign with the Giants, which would pay him 110 percent of his total compensation from the previous season, or $5.225 million in this scenario.
If Golden does not sign by then, he must sit out the rest of the season.
The unrestricted free agent tender is rarely used by teams, and was last utilized by the New England Patriots in 2017 with LeGarrette Blount, who signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles shortly afterward.
Golden led the Giants with 10 sacks last season, but the team did not address their pass rush in free agency nor the NFL Draft over the weekend.
On WFAN's "Joe and Evan" on Monday, Giants GM Dave Gettleman did not rule out bringing back Golden, but also said the team has plenty of young talent who can pressure the quarterback that still need to learn.
By placing the tender on Golden, the Giants are taking a calculated risk of either returning a legitimate pass rusher at a discounted rate, or receive a compensatory pick if not, but that would also entail playing the 2020 season without last season's team sacks leader.