Giants sign veteran inside linebacker David Mayo to new three-year contract
David Mayo of the Giants pursues Albert Wilson of the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Dec 15, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Credit: Mike Stobe
Even if nothing else happens this offseason, the Giants now at least have somebody who can play inside linebacker.
The Giants agreed to terms on a new three-year contract with pending free agent David Mayo on Friday night, bringing back the veteran defender and special-teamer at a position that had gotten so thin it would be erroneous to call it a depth chart.
The Giants released Alec Ogletree earlier this offseason and hope Ryan Connolly can return from an ACL injury that cut short an abbreviated but promising rookie season.
Even with the Mayo signing, they’re likely to be in the market for an upgrade at the center of their defense in either free agency or the draft.
Mayo was solid last season when he stepped into the starting lineup and was the team’s second-leading tackler (80). He also had two sacks, five tackles for loss, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
Mayo has five years of NFL experience, making him the most seasoned of the current Giants linebackers. He was a fifth-round choice of the Panthers and played there for four seasons. Last offseason he signed with the 49ers, was released at the end of training camp and was signed by the Giants for the start of the regular season.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
