The New York Giants and offensive lineman Nick Gates have agreed to a two-year contract extension that could max out at $10.325 million, reports NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
The #Giants have agreed to a two-year extension with OL Nick Gates, who started three games last year. The deal has a base value of $6.825 million and could max out at $10.325 million. A former undrafted free agent who spent his first year on IR, Gates cashes in.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 1, 2020
Gates, who signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska following the 2018 NFL Draft, appeared in 16 games with three starts last season, finishing with a 77.0 Pro Football Focus grade.
The two-year extension will essentially pay Gates starting money, which likely means you can pencil him in at either center or right tackle this season.
Although Gates hasn’t played center in the NFL, he’s ready to fill that role if it’s what the Giants and head coach Joe Judge ask.
“If that’s where the team needs help, I’m ready to step up. The mental aspect is really the main load of center. It’s mostly a help position, but you have to point out where everybody goes and make sure everybody is on the same page. We’ll see when I get live reps with guys lined up three inches from me,” Gates told the New York Post in June.
Wherever he ends up playing, general manager Dave Gettleman is certain that Gates will bring the type of toughness the offensive line needs.
“The thing you love about Nick is just how tough he is, because it’s a fist fight in there,” Gettleman said previously. “History tells you that the toughness of your team is really, really indicated by the toughness of your offensive line.”
[lawrence-related id=650381,644677,652773]