Report: Giants willing to trade linebacker Olivier Vernon

lions-matthew-stafford-spins-away-from-giants-olivier-vernon

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) spins to avoid New York Giants' Olivier Vernon (54) during the first half Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Bill Kostroun/AP)

Sportsnet Staff March 1, 2019, 12:13 PM

The New York Giants have discussed the possibility of trading linebacker Olivier Vernon, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport.

Teams have been made aware of the #Giants willingness to move Vernon. Another top pass-rusher available https://t.co/M9lnggcuNp

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 1, 2019

The Giants signed Vernon to a five-year, $85-million contract in March 2016 after the Miami native played his first four seasons for his hometown Dolphins.

The 28-year-old would leave behind $8M of dead cap to the #Giants per his trade (or release), carrying over salaries & cap figures of $15.5M in both 2019 & 2020 to his new team ($0 GTD).https://t.co/EmVeH3CYps https://t.co/yL58oczrG6

— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 1, 2019

Vernon’s best season as a member of the Giants came in his first when he racked up 8.5 sacks, 23 quarterback hits and 110 total tackles as New York posted an 11-5 record behind the league’s second-ranked defence.

The 28-year-old hasn’t found that same success in the Big Apple in the two seasons since and missed nine combined games in 2017 and 2018.

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