New York Giants NFL free agency rumors 2016: Jason Pierre-Paul to leave following lackluster 2015 season?

The New York Giants might part ways with defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul who will enter the free agency market this March, since he signed just a one-year deal with the team last October 2015

Pierre-Paul went through a lot in the previous year that may have derailed his train to success following another great season in 2014. 

Wikimedia Commons/Mike Morbeck

The Giants assigned the franchise tag to Pierre-Paul on March 3, 2015, but on July 4, he had a fireworks incident that damaged his right hand, causing him his thumb and a part of his index finger. 

Following the unfortunate event, Pierre-Paul remained distant and was not communicating with the Giants. 

The 2015 season began and Pierre-Paul did not see action for New York until he inked his current one-year contract in October 2015

Pierre-Paul began playing, with a kind of hand wrap to protect the injury, in November last year and went on to finish the season. 

However, the 27-year-old defensive end performed poorly in those eight regular season games and did not tally his usual numbers that made him one of the best defensive players in the National Football League (NFL). 

The 15th overall pick by the Giants in the 2010 NFL Draft recorded career-worsts 26 tackles and only one sack. 

Very far from his previous performances and this may lead to him leaving the Big Apple once the free agency period begins on March 9. 

If that happens, the only defensive ends who will be left in New York's roster are veteran George Selvie and undrafted rookie Brad Bars. 

The 2015 season did not go as planned for the Giants who, along with the issues with Pierre-Paul, also experienced another losing season for the fourth consecutive year. 

Since their Super Bowl XLVI victory over the New England Patriots during the 2011 season, the Giants have had a playoff drought which is a bit surprising, considering the roster they have led by franchise quarterback Eli Manning.