Markus Golden
AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden, who was signed in March, is out to “hunt” for his new team’s pass-rush. 

The New York Giants were nothing short of pathetic in the pass-rushing department a season ago. With only 30 sacks throughout the entire season, the Giants defense was ranked second-to-last in the NFL. The only team that had fewer sacks was the Oakland Raiders, with 13.

But this offseason, the Giants have looked to improve that aspect of the game. By doing so, they signed linebacker Markus Golden to a one-year deal in March. Golden will work alongside linebackers Alec Ogletree and Lorenzo Carter.

Golden previously played for the Arizona Cardinals from 2015-2018. Current Giants defensive coordinator coached him from 2015-2017.

Speaking at OTAs last week, Golden expressed his goals for his role in the pass-rush in this upcoming season.

“I come in thinking I’m gonna hunt,” Golden said. “I’m hunting, every play, any time I’m on the field, every third down, first down, I’m hunting. When you think like that and work like that in practice every day, the results got to come. That’s what I always believed. It always worked out for me to just work my butt off every day and don’t worry about nothing else, it’s gonna come.”

Injuries have plagued much of the past two seasons for Golden. Although, the veteran tallied 12.5 sacks in a dominant 2016 season.

As far as the previous two years, Golden mentioned, “It was hard. I wasn’t 100 percent. I still had a brace on. If I wouldn’t have worked hard I could sit there and be sad about it, but when you put all the work in and grind it out, you got no choice but to be happy with yourself and move on.”

Giants fans should be excited about what Golden could bring to the pass-rush, especially with the former connection to his defensive coordinator.

Ryan Honey is a staff writer and host of the Wide Right Podcast.