John Mara‘s frustration with the Giants’ defense in 2024 has prompted a wave of spending on that side of the ball in the first couple days of free agency.
GM Joe Schoen agreed Tuesday morning to pay Dolphins safety Jevon Holland top of market money after landing Cowboys backup edge Chauncey Golston and Ravens reserve linebacker Chris Board on Monday night.
Those signings, coupled with Monday’s early agreements with Saints corner Paulson Adebo and Seahawks defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris, mark meaningful and necessary upgrades to Schoen and Brian Daboll’s defense.
“I didn’t think our defense played very well this year at all,” Mara, the Giants’ owner, said in January after his offense finished 31st in the 32-team NFL. “I know that when you have an offense that performs like that, you’re putting more pressure on your defense. But we need to make improvements there. I’m tired of watching teams go up and down the field on us. So I think that has to be addressed.”
Holland, 25, agreed to a three-year, $45.3 million contract that includes $30.3 million in guarantees. That is a startling about-face in positional value by Schoen after letting Xavier McKinney walk to a first-team All-Pro season in Green Bay on a four-year, $67 million deal with $23 million guaranteed.
Golston, 27, is joining the Giants on a three-year, $19.5 million deal. And Board, 29, who has mostly played special teams, is in for a two-year contract worth up to $6 million.
The Giants still had to figure out the most important position, quarterback, as of Tuesday morning, but Schoen did add a swing tackle on Monday night, getting the Browns’ James Hudson III for two years and $12 million.
So maybe the team won’t get caught flat-footed a third straight season when injuries occur up front.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates