Giants’ Tony Jefferson switching from safety to linebacker

New York Giants safety Tony Jefferson, who is scheduled to become a free agent on March 15, is switching positions to linebacker.

On Tuesday, the Giants retained Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. Now, general manager Joe Schoen will get ready for free agency, which is less than a week away.

Safety Tony Jefferson is certainly not a premier name for the Giants headed into free agency but surely someone they used often last season.

Prior to free agency, the nine-year veteran is switching positions to linebacker.

There is no doubt the league getting faster and more teams are searching for versatile players who can play all over the field.

As far as a potential return to Big Blue, the move to linebacker could improve the chances as the Giants certainly have a need at the position. Jefferson also has familiarity with Wink Martindale’s defense.

However, how Martindale sees him as a linebacker and if the Giants are interested remains to be seen.

In the defensive backfield, the Giants have Xavier McKinney and it will be interesting to see if they bring back Julian Love or Landon Collins. The Giants have also been connected to Jordan Poyer.

The move to linebacker is likely something Jefferson thought could benefit him headed to free agency. Certainly, with Jefferson being in the back nine of his career, the position change may also extend his career.

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