One of the biggest surprises this offseason for the New York Giants was why they chose not to re-sign safety Julian Love, their leading tackler from last season.
All Love had done for the Giants was do whatever they asked, playing multiple positions in the secondary and on special teams the past four seasons.
Love’s value was not lost on the Seattle Seahawks, who inked him to a two-year, $12 million free agent deal this offseason.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll recently told NBC’s Peter King the reason why he scooped the former Notre Damer up.
“How many players in the league play over 1,000 snaps in the regular defense and over 200 on special teams? That’s extraordinary.” Love played 1,006 snaps on defense and 220 on the kicking teams, and had 124 tackles. “It’s very rare to have an opportunity to get a player like that.”
Love likely wanted to stay in New Jersey with the Giants but he understands there’s only so much cap space to go around.
“I love this place, and there’s familiarity with this place, but football is not forever,” Love said after the season. “I know that. I put my body on the line every game — and I’m in the action of the game. So you’ve got to do the best for you, to secure generational wealth for your family.”
The Giants signed former Washington Commanders safety Bobby McCain to take Love’s place on the roster. He’ll line up next to Xavier McKinney with Dane Belton and Jason Pinnock as the primary depth.
