Jason Pierre-Paul was merely days away from signing a monster $60 million dollar contract extension with the New York Giants. That is before he lost 2 fingers in a fireworks accident on July 4, 2015. Pierre-Paul has not seen that offer from the team since then.
Prior to the incident, Pierre-Paul came off of a 12.5 sack campaign in 2014, and a combined 8.5 sacks in 2012 and 2013. He was touted as one of the best up and coming Defensive Ends in the league. Things are slightly different now. He has two fewer fingers, which may affect his ability to grip the ground, pre-snap or even wrapping up a quarterback to make a sack. Pierre-Paul finally got his 2015 debut against the Buccaneers and only recorded 2 tackles. He finished out the 2015 season with a “club-like” mitt taped heavily around his hand amassing 1 lone sack in 8 games. Regardless of the fact Pierre-Paul has this disadvantage, he can still do what the Bucs’ are in desperate need of; disrupt the pocket.
As a powerful and fast edge rusher, Jason Pierre-Paul could fit nicely in Mike Smith’s new 4-3 defensive scheme. I do not expect any team to throw an offer as big as the contract the Giant’s withdrew, so plenty of teams will be interested. With plenty of cap space this off-season, there should be no doubt the Bucs throw their name into the conversation. Taking a look at a player that is easily worth a ton of money cannot hurt. Actually, had this fireworks accident never even happened, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. I just don’t think you can simply not take a chance at landing a player with a huge presence on defense, for potentially a bargain price.
