Landon Collins' future in football can go in any number of directions, but all of those various paths begin at the same point: With a decision by Giants general manager Dave Gettleman by 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
That's the deadline for the Giants if they wish to use the franchise tag on the pending free-agent safety, and it will set the course for Collins' immediate and long-term career.
After Collins' four years with the Giants, three of them culminating in a Pro Bowl invite, Gettleman has to decide whether the team will retain its rights to the player for 2019 at the cost of $11.15 million _ and likely not see him until the regular season is about to begin in September _ or allow him to hit the open market next week when any of the other 31 teams can sign him to a longer and even more lucrative deal.
