Jason Pierre-Paul guaranteed $1.5M in incentive-laden deal with Giants
Jason Pierre-Paul's return to the New York Giants this week came with a contract that will pay him significantly less guaranteed than what he was to receive on the franchise tender, though he does have a chance to earn all of that money back via incentives.
A source with knowledge of the contract details told FOX Sports on Thursday Pierre-Paul received $1.5 million guaranteed in base salary and another $1.5 million in per-game roster bonuses, prorated over the final seven games of the season for every game he's active.
The team will pay Pierre-Paul this week and next while he's technically not on the roster. The Giants received a two-week roster exemption for Pierre-Paul as he works his way back into football shape.
Sources told FOX Sports earlier this week the Giants are hopeful Pierre-Paul will be ready for the Week 10 game against the New England Patriots, which will be a rematch of Super Bowls XLII and XLVI.
The Giants will welcome Pierre-Paul's return, as the team has a league-low nine sacks on the season.
Pierre-Paul was due to earn $8.7 million fully guaranteed if he signed the franchise tender. He can earn up to that amount via playtime and sack incentives, meaning there's another $5.7 million available to him on top of the $3 million in base salary and roster bonuses.
The agreement between the sides also states the Giants cannot place Pierre-Paul on the non-football-injury list. That's significant for Pierre-Paul because, had the team placed him on that list, his contract would toll. That would mean the Giants would have him under contract for next season under the terms of this year's agreement.
Pierre-Paul is now slated to once again be a free agent this coming spring. If he shows he's capable of playing at, or near, the form he displayed before his fireworks incident in July, he will be a sought-after player at a premier position. The Giants can use the franchise tag on Pierre-Paul again next year.
