Giants deal DE Pierre-Paul to Bucs

The New York Giants have traded defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a 2018 third-round pick (No. 69 overall).

The Giants and Bucs will also swap fourth-round picks as part of the deal; Tampa Bay will now select at No. 102 and New York will go at No. 108.

“We appreciate everything Jason has done for the Giants,” new general manager Dave Gettleman said in a statement. “He was a fine player for us, and he helped our franchise win Super Bowl XLVI. We wish him well in the future.”

Pierre-Paul, 29, had 68 tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumbles last season in his first 16-game campaign since losing his right index finger and parts of at least two other fingers in a fireworks accident on July 4, 2015. He had played eight games in 2015 after the incident and 12 games in 2016, missing time after having sports hernia surgery.

Pierre-Paul is from Deerfield Beach, Fla., and attended USF in Tampa.

Pierre-Paul, a two-time Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro in 2011, has 58 sacks and 13 forced fumbles across his eight-year career with the Giants. He signed a four-year, $62 million deal with New York prior to last season that will pay him $11.25 million in base salary in 2018, with a $12.5 million cap hit.

“Jason is an elite-level edge rusher who will make an immediate impact on our defense,” said Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht in a statement. “We are adding a two-time Pro Bowler who is passionate about the game and has established himself as one of the league’s premier defensive ends. Jason is an incredibly hard-working playmaker on the defensive front with a unique skill set that allows him to stay on the field in both rushing and passing situations.”

The 2010 first-round pick will join new additions Vinny Curry and Beau Allen and star defensive tackle Gerald McCoy on the Buccaneers’ defensive line.

Meanwhile, the Giants could look to the draft to replace Pierre-Paul’s production. New York had held a private workout with highly touted North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb, who will visit the team facility in the coming weeks, according to a report from NFL Network.

–Field Level Media