3 NY Giants free agents who are likely gone (and 2 who will be back)
2. Staying: LB Isaiah Simmons
An intriguing trade right before the start of the regular season, the Giants added Isaiah Simmons in hopes of him being a versatile piece. He only played in 33 percent of defensive snaps this season, but he made impact plays occasionally. Who could forget his pick-six against the Commanders to seal the deal?
Simmons ended 2023 with 50 tackles, three pass breakups, two tackles for loss, one sack and one interception that was returned for a touchdown. One area Simmons needs improvement on is tackling, missing eight this season, the second most in his career. In Wink Martindale's scheme, Simmons blitzed 54 times, but only got home once while accumulating five pressures.
His role was interesting, playing a hybrid-type one in the defense. With a new defensive coordinator coming in soon, it would benefit having Simmons on the roster due to his versatility and most importantly his availability (played all 17 games in 2023, never missed a game in his four-year career). Let's hope Schoen brings him back.