The New York Giants just made another splash in free agency, locking down a new leader for their secondary. According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, Big Blue has signed 25-year-old safety Jevon Holland to a three-year, $45 million deal, adding a young, versatile playmaker to their defensive backfield.
But this wasn’t their first big move in the secondary. Before landing Holland, the Giants had already bolstered their cornerback room by signing 25-year-old Paulson Adebo to a three-year, $54 million contract. With Adoree’ Jackson likely on his way out and 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks struggling, Adebo brings much-needed stability and experience to a cornerback unit that badly needed reinforcements.
With these two additions, New York’s secondary is suddenly looking like one of the more interesting groups in the league. And with standout second-year players Tyler Nubin and Dru Phillips already in place, Holland and Adebo could put this defense back into the elite category.
Giants sign Jevon Holland to a three-year, $45 million deal
Acquiring Holland was a good move for the Giants. After losing Xavier McKinney in free agency last year, he'll be a strong presence and potential mentor alongside Tyler Nubin.
Holland's contract is a bit steep (especially after handing Adebo $18 million per season on average), but compared to some of the other lucrative safety contracts signed this offseason, it was pretty comparable. Camryn Bynum and his three-year, $60 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts, while Tre'Von Moehrig signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Carolina Panthers.
Sure, $15 million a year on average is quite a bit of cash, especially since they let McKinney walk last season due to his large price tag and signed Adebo to a deal worth $18 million on average. However, consider this being general manager Joe Schoen trying to put this team in a better spot.
Holland’s addition, combined with the Adebo signing, signals a clear shift in how the Giants are building this defense. Last season, they were inconsistent in coverage, struggled with takeaways, and didn’t have a true playmaker on the back end.
Yes, the spending has been aggressive—$99 million combined for Holland and Adebo—but Schoen is clearly betting on upside. The Giants needed to get younger, faster, and more dynamic in the secondary, and these moves at least attempt to accomplish that.
But for all the defensive upgrades, one question still looms large: Who’s playing quarterback? After hooking the secondary up, it’s time to address the most important position. Figure it out.