The Giants aren’t finished adding experience and leadership to their retooled defense.
Veteran outside linebacker Connor Barwin, a longtime NFC East rival as a Philadelphia Eagle (2013-16), announced on Twitter Monday afternoon that he is signing with the Giants. NFL Network reported Barwin is getting a two-year deal worth up to $5 million. ESPN first reported the signing.
He rejoins Giants linebackers coach Bill McGovern, who coached Barwin and Philly’s outside linebackers from 2013-15 before joining Ben McAdoo’s staff in 2016 and now is staying on with new coach Pat Shurmur.
“I’m excited to announce I’ve agreed to terms with the New York Football Giants,” Barwin tweeted. “Let’s go G-Men!”
Barwin, 31, played for the Los Angeles Rams last season, had five sacks and 34 tackles in 14 games, and made the playoffs. But he also watched his former Eagles teammates win the franchise’s first-ever Super Bowl championship, so now Barwin is back in-division to try and to help the Giants dethrone the champs.
He will compete for playing time in new Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher’s 3-4 scheme, where the Giants have added veteran Alec Ogletree as an inside linebacker via a trade with the L.A. Rams and Kareem Martin as an outside linebacker in free agency from the Arizona Cardinals.
Olivier Vernon, sliding back from defensive end, is scheduled to start on the outside opposite Martin with incumbent B.J. Goodson in the middle alongside Ogletree. And GM Dave Gettleman drafted outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter with the 66th overall pick in the third round out of Georgia to rush the passer, as well.
Barwin, who has 55.5 sacks for his career with a high of 14.5 in 2014, started 13 games for the Rams last year after starting all 16 for his final three seasons as an Eagle. The Giants no doubt are hoping he’ll contribute on the field, but his addition also could be significant to a locker room — and defensive unit — that lacked steadiness and sufficient leadership in 2017.
