With the New York Giants' disappointing 2024 campaign nearing its conclusion, Joe Schoen and the franchise's front office will soon evaluate every position to determine how the team can improve heading into next season. This evaluation could lead to several players leaving in free agency.
One player who could be on the move this offseason is veteran free safety Jason Pinnock. Now in his third season with the Giants after being drafted by the Jets in the fifth round out of Pittsburgh, the 25-year-old safety has quietly emerged as a consistent contributor for Big Blue.
This season, Pinnock recorded 73 total tackles, including eight (five solo) in last week’s 34-7 loss to the Falcons. While Pinnock has yet to notch a double-digit tackle game in 2024, he’s been one of the Giants’ most reliable defenders, logging at least five tackles in each of the last eight games. His season-high of nine tackles came in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders.
Bleacher Report recently analyzed each NFL team’s most significant weaknesses and listed Pinnock as a potential free-agent target for the Cincinnati Bengals. Pinnock’s age and breakout season for the Giants could make him a hot commodity as he enters free agency off his rookie contract. Here’s why the Bengals might be an ideal fit.
B/R stated, "Jason Pinnock could be a good compromise. He's a young free agent coming off his rookie contract but has some proven production as a starter for the Giants."
Does Jason Pinnock make sense for the Bengals in free agency?
The Bengals defense ranks third in total yards (5,728), sixth in yards per game (358.0), and fifth in points per game (26.1) in the NFL this season. Cincinnati's secondary and pass defense has struggled tremendously this year, which can be attributed to issues with Vonn Bell and Geno Stone.
Stone, who was prioritized in last year’s free agency, has not lived up to expectations. Through the first five weeks of the season, Pro Football Focus ranked him dead last among all safeties, and the Bengals allowed 41 points in a Week 5 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
As much as Vonn Bell has lost a step at Safety the real albatross this season has been Geno Stone.
— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) October 8, 2024
PFF Grades for the season for Geno Stone:
Overall - 37.8
Run Defense - 45.7
Tackling - 41.1
Coverage - 39.8
He is ranked 79th out of 79 Safeties that have enough snaps to qualify…
After three years with the Ravens, where he was considered one of the league’s top safeties and led the AFC in interceptions in 2023 with seven, Stone signed a two-year, $14 million deal with the Bengals. The move was intended to bolster Cincinnati’s secondary but has proven to be a "swing-and-miss" signing. While Stone has four interceptions this season, he’s recorded just 44 solo tackles and has been so underwhelming that Bleacher Report labeled him a potential cut candidate.
Fortunately for the Bengals, second-year safety Jordan Battle has stepped up, earning four starts over Bell. The 24-year-old has shown promise but hasn’t entirely solidified the position. This leaves Cincinnati with a clear need to upgrade at safety in free agency, and Pinnock could be the perfect compromise.
The Giants have countless needs to address this offseason and cannot retain everyone—nor should they, given their 2-13 record and status as the league’s worst team. Rebuilding the franchise will involve letting some players walk and bringing in new talent to turn things around.
Jason Pinnock is one of many intriguing free agents whose landing spots will be worth monitoring. Whether he stays in New York or joins a team like Cincinnati, Pinnock’s breakout 2024 campaign has undoubtedly raised his stock heading into 2025.