Jevon Holland and Giants agree to three-year deal, source confirms
Xavier Newman #65, Jets lineman, right, tries in vain to tackle Jevon Holland #8 of the Miami Dolphins as he returns an interception 99 yards for a touchdown to end the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Credit: James Escher
The Giants began free agency knowing a new quarterback was their priority. Fixing the defense was easily second.
Tuesday didn’t bring any quarterback news on the second day teams could negotiate with free agents. While the Giants waited and waited, they pressed on to address another defensive need by agreeing to a three-year contract with former Dolphins safety Jevon Holland.
It came after the team agreed to sign former Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo on Monday. Holland’s contract is worth at least $45.3 million, including $30.3 million guaranteed, per reports.
A four-year veteran, Holland was regarded as the top available safety after Monday’s wave of deals. The 25-year-old will immediately slot next to Tyler Nubin, who had a strong rookie season with 97 tackles before having ankle surgery in December.
The first day that deals can become official is Wednesday, the first day of the new league year.
Holland’s arrival will offset the Giants losing safety Jason Pinnock in free agency. Pinnock reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the 49ers Tuesday.
Pinnock started 32 games over the past two seasons after initially being claimed off waivers prior to the 2022 season. He had two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2023 but regressed last season, the first under defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.
Yet the Giants got an upgrade in Holland, who has five career interceptions, five forced fumbles, recovered four fumble and 25 passes defended. He’s also no stranger to memorable moments at MetLife Stadium.
Holland (6-1, 205 pounds) has five career interceptions, five forced fumbles, recovered four fumbles and 25 passes defended. He’s also no stranger to memorable moments at MetLife Stadium.
In 2023, he had a 99-yard interception return when the Jets’ Tim Boyle attempted a Hail Mary pass just before halftime on Black Friday. Holland caught it and took it back for a touchdown, adding the “Fail Mary” to Jets lore.
At the time, Holland was making his name as one of the NFL’s top young safeties However, he also missed five games in 2023, including four with a knee sprain, and his productivity slipped last season.
2024 was Holland’s first season without an interception and he only had four passes defended with one forced fumble in 15 games. He had two interceptions in each of his first two seasons.
Holland was also the youngest team captain in Dolphins history when he was named one in his second season. It was a role he kept the next three seasons.
Getting Holland could be seen as the Giants’ front office atoning for letting safety Xavier McKinney walk last offseason. McKinney signed a four-year contract with the Packers averaging $16.7 million per year and was an All-Pro during his first season in Green Bay.
Holland’s per year numbers are just below that at $15.1 million, which ranks eighth among safeties. But between that and Adebo’s contract averaging $18 million per year, the Giants are showing a willingness to spend in the secondary that they didn’t a year ago.
After going 3-14 last season, the Giants needed to improve stopping teams as much as putting their offense in better hands. "I didn't think our defense played very well this year at all," team president John Mara said in January. "I know that when you have an offense that performs like that, you’re putting more pressure on your defense. But we need to make improvements there."
General manager Joe Schoen echoed those thoughts at his end-of-season availability.
“Is it scheme? Is it personnel? Is it run fits? Or is some of it players too?” Schoen said in January. “We’re going to look at all three phrases and where we need to upgrade and how we can get better.”
So far, the Giants took aim at doing adding Holland, Adebo, defensive end Chauncey Golston and defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris.
Time will tell how that extends paying for their biggest need at quarterback. For another day, they’re waiting to see what shakes out with Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson or perhaps a backup option like Jameis Winston while also seeking a quarterback in this year’s draft.
For now, they’ve addressed critical needs in their secondary with Holland and Adebo. Come Wednesday, they’ll hope to be closer to fixing their No. 1 need
Giants get extra third-round pick
The Giants were awarded a compensatory third round pick in this year’s draft, the NFL announced Tuesday. It’s in exchange for the team losing McKinney in free agency without a free agent signing to offset it.
The Giants will pick 99th in the third round in addition to picking 65th. They now have four picks within the first three rounds, including the No. 3 pick and eight total.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
