New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden is going to receive a $1 million contract incentive, thanks to a decision days after the team’s victory over Washington in Week 16.
Golden has a clause in his contract worth seven figures if he reaches double-digits in sacks. When Washington’s Dwayne Haskins was taken down Sunday, the linebacker was first credited with a half-sack, which would have put him at 9.5. The sack was originally split between Golden and Lorenzo Carter.
However, Elias Sports Bureau reviewed the game video, as it does with all disputed plays, and changed the stats to a full sack for the LB, who left Arizona and signed a one-year in the offseason.for $3.75 million, with the additional $1 million kicking in if he reached 10 sacks.
“I earned it,” said Golden, who had 12.5 sacks for the Cardinals in 2016, but injured his knee the following year and had 2.5 sacks combined in 2017 and ’18.
Giants LB Markus Golden earned $1M after a half sack of Dwayne Haskins in Week 16 was changed to a full sack.
It gave him 10 this season and triggered the lucrative incentive. pic.twitter.com/qiLvjBGftg
— ESPN (@espn) December 26, 2019
Golden is the first Giants player with double-digit sacks since Jason Pierre-Paul had 12.5 in 2014 and the first Giants linebacker to accomplish the feat since Lawrence Taylor had 10.5 in 1990.
#Blessed 🙏🏿 Thanks to my Coaches and Teammates! Now let’s finish strong! 💪🏿 https://t.co/ozFIA71c1x
— Markus Golden (@markusgolden) December 26, 2019