Report: Olivier Vernon gets $85 million from Giants

The dollars are flying on the first day of NFL free agency, as Olivier Vernon has reportedly been handed a monster deal by the New York Giants.

The figures, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, are staggering.

For Olivier Vernon and the #Giants, I'm told it's the biggest defensive end deal in history with the most guaranteed money

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2016

Olivier Vernon:
5 years, $85 million, $52.5m guaranteed.

— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) March 9, 2016

It’s a ridiculous sum of money. Vernon is a good player and he’s collected 6.5 and 7.5 sacks over the last two seasons, but this is a record salary in terms of both total and guaranteed money.

It’s definitely a statement of intent from the Giants, who seem like they want to make one last big run behind Eli Manning. Earlier Wednesday, they agreed to terms on a $62 million deal with cornerback Janoris Jenkins.

Don’t worry, by the way. Unlike the folks at ESPN, we made doubly sure to check that this Vernon news was real.