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New York Giants Must Be Regretting Jon Beason Deal

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By @Bigwoolf5

Jon Beason

Andrew Weber-USA Today Sports

In 2013 the New York Giants were a top 10 defensive team in the NFL, and the main reason for that was the addition of Jon Beason. Beason had such a profound impact on the defense last season that the Giants made a big investment in him, and right now they must be kicking themselves for doing so.

Beason was previously with the Carolina Panthers, but he was being phased out there because of stud linebacker Luke Kuechly. The Giants only had to give up a seventh-round pick to acquire Beason last year, so this trade was more than worth it. The problem came when the Giants gave him a three-year, $16 million contract with over $6 million guaranteed.

You could understand why the Giants gave Beason this contract, because when he came in he changed the defense for the better immediately. He started 11 games for the Giants in 2013 and racked up over 100 tackles, which made him a wanted commodity on the free agent market.

The problem is Beason’s recent injury history. After starting every game in his first four seasons in the league and making the Pro Bowl in three of them, Beason had played in just 20 games over the next three years. When he came over to the Giants, though, he was fully healthy and the Giants thought his injuries were behind him which led to the big contract.

This offseason Beason hurt his toe in the very beginning of training camp, and that injury has been lingering ever since, playing in only four games this year and contributed just 11 tackles. Now Beason might be done for the year, as he is considering getting surgery on the injured toe, and this brings up the point that Beason has had one healthy season in the last four. The contract was a risk no doubt, but it’s one the Giants shouldn’t have taken, especially considering that Beason’s replacement, Jameel McClain, has done a solid job in his stead.

Hindsight is always 20/20, and it’s easy to say signing Beason was a mistake now that he is likely done for the year. But the mistake was throwing $6 million in guaranteed money at a guy who hasn’t been able to stay on the field consistently. You can’t blame the Giants for wanting Beason as their middle linebacker after the year he had for them in 2013, but you can question giving that much guaranteed money to a guy who is always hurt. Right now the Giants should be kicking themselves for falling victim to the healthy run he had at the end of his contract season.

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