Maybe the Instagram photo was a hint after all because Brandon Marshall is staying in town.
The veteran wide receiver, recently released by the New York Jets, will sign a two-year, $12 million deal with the New York Giants, according to multiple reports.
Marshall is coming off a down season with the Jets. He hauled in 59 catches for 788 yards and three touchdowns in 2016. The year before with the Jets, he had one of his best seasons as a pro. That year he had 109 catches for 1502 yards with an NFL-high 14 touchdowns.
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But the Jets in a full rebuilding mode and slashing contracts. Marshall’s $7.5 million salary for the 2017 season didn’t make sense for them. He was one of the several releases of veteran players. Darrelle Revis and Nick Mangold were also key veterans who were released as well.
When Marshall was released, he was looking for a team that was in contention to win a Super Bowl. The Giants are coming off an 11-5 season. They made the postseason for the first time since winning Super Bowl XLVI in 2011.
There was an initial report that Brandon Marshall was interested in signing with the New England Patriots. A move that would have been very unpopular with the Jets fan base. Some felt that Marshall didn’t want to uproot his family and move them after spending the last two years in the New York area. Now, he won’t have to leave since he’ll be playing in the same area and stadium.
With Brandon Marshall going to the Giants, he becomes a part of a receiver group that includes Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard. With the type of coverage that Beckham gets, it could allow Marshall to get single coverage and use his size and strength to beat opposing cornerbacks.
The move for the Giants is a solid one. With the departure of Victor Cruz this off-season, the Giants add someone who can still play at a very high level. Marshall gives them a physical player who can stretch the field and make big plays. Something that at times, Cruz struggled to do because of the injuries he suffered over the years.
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Brandon Marshall will also be a veteran presence and leader for the Giants both on and off the field and someone that can mentor the two young receivers in Beckham and Shepard as their careers continue to blossom. It also gives Eli Manning a big-bodied receiver that can be a red-zone target. Something he really hasn’t had since Plaxico Burress.
Overall, it’s a great signing and for Marshall’s sake, he can only hope that by trading in the green and white for the blue and white, he’ll be hoisting up a Lombardi trophy when the 2017 season is over; like his Instagram photo showed.