The New York Giants have re-signed their starting fullback Elijhaa Penny, who they picked up off the Cardinals practice squad last September.
The New York Giants will be getting their starting fullback back for 2019.
Per Michael Eisen of Giants.com, Big Blue is re-signing fullback Elijhaa Penny. Penny was formerly signed coming from the Arizona Cardinals practice squad last September. He was on the practice squad for the Cardinals all of 2016. Penny played in all 16 games for the Cardinals during the 2017 season.
The Giants recently tendered Penny as an exclusive-rights free agent last week, along with kicker Aldrick Rosas and center Jon Halapio. Rosas and Halapio were also re-signed as well.
Twenty-nineteen will be Penny’s fourth season in the NFL out of the University of Idaho.
When Penny was signed by the Giants in 2018, he played in the team’s final 14 games of the regular season, starting in three of them. Starts came against the Saints in Week 4, the Buccaneers in Week 11 and against the Redskins in Week 14.
While mainly residing in the role of a lead-blocker, Penny did have seven carries in 2018 for 25 yards. He also caught eight passes from quarterback Eli Manning for 50 yards on the year.
Although the contract details haven’t been released as of this moment, it’s a good move by the Giants’ front office to retain Penny for next year. He proved that he works well within the system as a lead-blocker for running backs Saquon Barkley and Wayne Gallman.
Penny also can be a good asset to have in the backfield on passing plays. Manning isn’t exactly a mobile quarterback (we all know that). Therefore, having as much protection in the backfield would be great for Big Blue going into next season.
Congrats to Penny and the Giants’ front office for putting together a much-deserved contract extension.
