#Giants have agreed to terms with LB Blake Martinez, source says
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 17, 2020
The New York Giants have reportedly agreed to terms on a multi-year contract with free agent linebacker Blake Martinez, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
In a hope to revamp the linebacker corps—a position of serious disappointment in recent decades—the Giants made some cuts before free agency and are now adding the 26-year-old Martinez to the middle of the defense. The Giants had been linked as an interested party in Martinez when the legal tampering period began on Monday.
The deal is reportedly for three years and worth $30 million, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
NYG gets him for 3 years, $30M. https://t.co/TE4BU9G7RS
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2020
A former fourth-round pick with the Green Bay Packers in 2016, Martinez has been a big contributor since entering the league. He has started 16 games in three consecutive seasons and is routinely among the league leaders in tackles.
Working mostly at inside linebacker, Martinez can fill the role that veteran Alec Ogletree held before the latter was released this offseason. Martinez has recorded 25 tackles for loss, 13 passes defended and 9.0 sacks over the last three seasons.
Martinez will likely be leading the inside linebacker corps with Ryan Connelly, who suffered a torn ACL early in the 2019 season.
The Giants will have plenty of salary-cap space even after the deals for cornerback James Bradberry and now Martinez, but it is clear the priority is on the defensive side of the ball.