The New York Giants have agreed to trade veteran pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The two teams will reportedly swap fourth round picks, and the Bucs will send a third rounder to the Giants as part of the deal.
Pierre-Paul, 29, signed a four-year, $62 million deal last offseason and he carries a $17.5 million salary cap hit for the 2018 season, which is tied for third among all defensive players, according to ESPN. The two-time Pro Bowl defensive end is coming off a season in which he recorded 68 tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumbles, while playing in all 16 games for the first time since 2014.
The Bucs ranked last in the NFL in sacks last season with 22 but they've added two former Philadelphia Eagles, Vinny Curry and Beau Allen this off-season. Tampa Bay finished last in the NFC South with a 5-11 record last season and will pick seventh in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The Giants, on the other hand, will be moving to a new 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinator James Bettcher and today's move could have a major impact on who they select in the draft. The G-Men have the second overall pick and N.C. State defensive end Bradley Chubb could be in their sights.