The New York Giants have several key decisions that must be made in the coming days. Among them is a determination on the immediate future of linebacker Blake Martinez.
Martinez, who missed much of last season due to a torn ACL, is due $8.425 million in 2022 and accounts for a cap hit of $14.025 million. That’s obviously too steep a price for the Giants, so some maneuvering must be done.
An outright release would cost the Giants $5.5 million in dead cap and create another hole at middle linebacker. They obviously hope to avoid that and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports that the team will attempt to rework Martinez’s contract to keep him in East Rutherford.
#Giants LB Blake Martinez is a player to watch over the next week. Due $8.525 million this season (cap number: $14.025m) and coming off a torn ACL. Team is interested in retaining him but trying to rework his deal, sources say. Resolution has to work for both sides. We'll see.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 7, 2022
The Giants have asked wide receiver Sterling Shepard to take a pay cut and other similar requests are expected, but perhaps an extension for Martinez is what’s in line.
In addition to Martinez, the Giants also have a decision to make on impending free agent tight end Evan Engram. However, with big-money franchise tags being handed down on other tight ends around the league, Engram may find himself priced out of the Giants’ range.
On a side note: If all the TEs I mentioned here do get the "franchise tag", you know who will suddenly vault to near the head of the class?
Evan Engram.
The Giants told his reps they'd like to keep him at the right price, but they can't afford what his price is going to be. https://t.co/WusUOvNa0C
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) March 7, 2022
The Giants and newly hired general manager Joe Schoen only have so much to work with, so some losses are to be expected. In this particular case, it’s likely that Martinez stays (at a lower price) and Engram goes (at an above market value price).
