The New York Giants are moving on from one of the faces of the franchise.
The Giants agreed Thursday to trade pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul and a fourth-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a third- and fourth-round pick, according to multiple reports.
The move potentially paves the way for the Giants to select North Carolina State defensive Bradley Chubb with the No. 2 pick. Chubb is regarded as the best pass rushing prospect in the draft.
The Giants could have drafted Chubb anyway, but the trade clears Pierre-Paul’s contract from the books. Last offseason, the Giants gave Pierre-Paul a four-year, $62 million deal.
Pierre-Paul was a staple along the Giants’ defensive line for years, including the team that won the 2012 Super Bowl. In eight seasons, the former 2010 first-rounder recorded 58½ sacks.
In 2015, the defensive end lost a finger and badly damaged several others in a July 4 fireworks accident.
The Buccaneers have significantly altered their defensive line this offseason, having also added former Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Vinny Curry.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.