The New York Giants are one step closer to losing the leader of their defense, as they are not planning to use the franchise tag on All-Pro safety Landon Collins.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that the Giants informed Collins of the decision on Tuesday.
The #Giants have now informed S Landon Collins that he won’t be franchise tagged, putting a top player on the free agent market, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2019
While it’s still possible that Collins could sign a long-term extension with the Giants, the more likely outcome is that he will become a free agent. If and when that happens, there should be teams lining up to sign him.
Collins, 25, had 96 tackles in 12 games with the Giants last season. He has made the Pro Bowl in each of the past three years, but the team apparently thinks the $11.15 million franchise tag number for safeties is too high. Collins indicated earlier in the offseason that he saw this coming, and there have been plenty of signs that he does not expect to be back in New York in 2019.
