Despite the recent trades and losing record, the New York Giants are not currently shopping EDGE rusher Olivier Vernon.
As the New York Giants season continues it’s tailspin, general manager Dave Gettleman has begun to make moves to build towards the future. After trading maligned corner Eli Apple to the Saints for two picks, he sent fan favorite nose tackle Damon Harrison to the Lions for a fifth-round pick.
However, it doesn’t appear that Gettleman is shopping everybody on the roster.
According to Matt Lombardo of NJ.com, the team is not currently shopping EDGE rusher Olivier Vernon, and Vernon has not requested a trade.
Vernon, 28, missed the first five games with an ankle injury that held him out longer than expected. However, since his return, he has one sack and four tackles in two games and has wreaked havoc in the backfield while rushing the passer.
Any team that acquires Vernon in a trade would have him on their books for $19.5 million for each of the next two seasons. That, combined with his nine missed games over the last two seasons hurt his value in a trade.
Vernon has been used as a hybrid rusher in James Bettcher’s defensive scheme, lining up either as a defensive end or an outside linebacker depending on what look Bettcher wants to give the defense. He has 45 sacks in 94 career games entering the Giants’ week eight matchup.
There’s no guarantee that the team has Vernon in their future plans despite not looking to move him at the deadline. Although they aren’t shopping him if a team blows them away with an offer they’d probably be willing to accept it.
Additionally, if he stays healthy during the second half and rebuilds his trade value he could potentially be traded in the offseason, similar to how his former running mate Jason Pierre-Paul was.
It’s also possible that the team decides to keep Vernon and hope for a quick rebuild with the draft capital they’ve already acquired.
However, it appears that he’ll still be wearing the blue and red past the trade deadline.
