Jason Pinnock’s time with the New York Giants was a bit of a Rorschach test. Some saw a starting-caliber safety who gave the team toughness, versatility, and a handful of untapped potential.
Others saw a replaceable defender who got too many snaps in a system that wasn’t built for him. Either way, Pinnock’s run in New York is over. His next chapter is already being written — and early signs point to a pretty big role in it.
Now with the San Francisco 49ers, Pinnock is viewed as the frontrunner to start at safety alongside Ji’Ayir Brown. The opportunity comes after a quietly strong offseason where he signed a fully guaranteed one-year deal worth $2.2 million. And with injuries mounting in the Niners' secondary — including Malik Mustapha — Pinnock’s experience is becoming a valuable asset before a single snap of training camp.
What’s changed? Well, apparently his fit and knowledge of the defensive system. And maybe more importantly, his new, former coach.
Former Giants safety could become key piece in 49ers’ revamped defense
49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh knows exactly what he’s getting. He helped draft Pinnock while with the New York Jets, and now gets a version of the player who’s played nearly every defensive snap for the past two seasons in New York. Pinnock’s familiarity with Saleh’s system is a big reason why he’s already getting first-team looks in minicamp.
“Pinnock, of course, also knows Saleh’s and Boyer’s systems, making him a quick study this spring,” wrote The Athletic’s Matt Barrows. “Because of that, he’s a frontrunner to start — perhaps next to Brown — in Week 1.”
Barrows also called Pinnock “the most physically impressive safety the 49ers have had in a while,” noting his speed, length, and ability to cover ground quickly. That matters for a defense that plans to get more aggressive. Saleh wants pressure from all levels, and Pinnock’s past production in blitz-heavy looks — including 6.5 sacks over three years — gives him immediate value in that scheme.
Saleh didn’t hold back when asked about him. “He’s a really good football player,” he said. “He’s grown significantly from a maturity standpoint, and he’s attacked the heck out of it. He’s going for it.”
The G-Men moved on with Jevon Holland, looking for more stability on the back end. But for all the inconsistency in Pinnock’s game, there was always upside. Pinnock’s time in New York was defined by flashes and frustration, and not everyone agreed on his value.
Maybe he won’t be as polarizing in The Bay... maybe this is the role that finally sticks for the 25-year-old.