Giants trading DE Jason Pierre-Paul to Buccaneers

The New York Giants are making another blockbuster trade.

Big Blue is shipping defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and a 2018 fourth-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 2018 third- and fourth-round picks, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday, via a source informed of the swap.

ESPN first reported the trade.

Pierre-Paul signed a four-year, $62 million contract with the Giants last offseason. The trade leaves $15 million in dead money on New York's salary cap, clearing $2.5 million off the cap this season, per Spotrac.

Trading JPP continues an offseason of roster reshaping in New York by new general manager Dave Gettleman. Big Blue acquired linebacker Alec Ogletree in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams earlier this month.

Selling Pierre-Paul provides Gettleman cap flexibility down the road -- possibly to use on an Odell Beckham Jr. extension. In the short term, it could signal the Giants might consider using the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft on a pass rusher, like Bradley Chubb. The deal could also indicate a complete rebuild for a team with an aging quarterback.

Just talked to JPP, who said Dave Gettleman called to tell him heâ€™d been traded to Bucs. JPP said DG told him it was â€œan offer they couldnâ€™t refuse.â€ JPP said he is happy heâ€™ll be closer to his son, who lives in S Florida. #NYG
â€” Kimberly Jones (@KimJonesSports) March 22, 2018

For the Buccaneers, adding JPP continues an offseason of addressing their pass rush. The Bucs recently added end Vinny Curry and tackle Beau Allen to bolster their defensive line. Pierre-Paul adds more oomph to a Tampa squad that compiled a league-low 22 sacks in 2017.

Importing JPP, Curry and Allen to go along with Gerald McCoy and Noah Spence gives the Bucs depth and playmaking along the defensive line.

Tampa clearly targeted upgrading their defensive weakness this offseason. The Bucs reportedly attempted to acquire Robert Quinn from the Rams earlier this offseason. After missing out, the team turned their attention to JPP, who compiled 8.5 sacks and 68 tackles in 2017.

Playing in a division that boasts Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton, the Bucs desperately needed playmakers to get after the quarterback. Thursday's trade helps accomplish that goal in a big way.

Now #Bucs DE Jason Pierre-Paul has a cap number of $17.5M and a salary of $11.25M. Tampa assumes that, while taking a pass-rusher off the Giants hands who doesn't fit their new 3-4 scheme.
â€” Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 22, 2018