Free agent John Runyen Jr.’s decision to choose the Giants over the Jets was more complicated than simply crying “Show me the money!”
As HBO’s “Hard Knocks” noted, Runyan was able to squeeze a slightly bigger deal out of the Giants after his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told executive vice president of football operations Kevin Abrams that Runyan “had to beat” the Jets’ three-year, $27 million offer.
Cuba Gooding Jr.’s character in “Jerry Maguire” would have been thrilled.
If the score had been tied, the Jets would have won because Runyan had a good relationship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett from their days with the Packers.
“You could say the Jets are ready right now to win the Super Bowl this year,” Runyan said after practice on Friday, “but I think this team isn’t just preparing for this year, they’re preparing for the next four or five years.”
“That’s what really got me excited. It’s great to come here and feel really welcomed and welcomed.”
General manager Joe Sean, assistant general manager Brandon Brown and the Abrams brain trust worked to push the limit on a three-year, $30 million deal to match the Jets’ $17 million guaranteed and secure the free agency rights of head coach Brian Daboll and offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, the Giants’ biggest prize.
“In the end, it all worked out,” Runyan said. “Money is money. Whatever it is, I really believe in what Joe, Brandon, Daves, Carmen and everybody else are building here. I like the way this team is built from top to bottom offensively. We have playmakers all over the place. I believe the offensive line is going to be really solid. And we’ve got to give our quarterback time to make plays.”
The Giants made free agent signings Runyan and right tackle Jermaine Eluemnour a priority, rebuilt a line that allowed a franchise-record 85 sacks last season and better protected quarterback Daniel Jones, who is coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
The Jets, looking to win now, opted to start left tackle Tyron Smith, left guard John Simpson and right tackle Morgan Moses as new starters to protect Rodgers from a torn Achilles tendon.
“There’s a lot of Green Bay guys over there,” Runyan said, “so I figured the Jets would be at the front of the line, and then they came in and made me an offer.”
Runyan is no stranger to Giants history, as his father, John Runyan Sr., was a left tackle for the Eagles and famously battled Michael Strahan for years at the height of that rivalry in the 2000s.
He believes the path to making Big Blue a respected team again is to copy that old blueprint.
“I think it’s going to be all about how well we control the line of scrimmage,” Runyan said.
Durability and versatility were two of the reasons the Giants targeted El Emnor and Runyan.
Eluemunor already moved from left guard to right tackle in the spring, and Runyan can also play on either side of center John Michael Schmitz and serve as insurance behind Schmitz.
“Whichever side you go to, you try to create some cohesion,” Runyan said. “Going from left to right is hard. You have to change your whole body. It’s all reflected, your eyes, your feet, your hands are all different. It’s nice to be able to stay on one side.”
But as the Giants well learned last season, emergencies happen.
Runyan played center in preseason games as a rookie and continues to work on quarterback substitutions before practices in his fifth training camp.
“I’ve always been able to be sharp,” Runyan said. “I consider myself a guard, but I’m comfortable enough if I’m needed there. It’s just something that’s always remained with me. I think it’s a good trait to have in your back pocket.”
A bidding war between the Giants and Jets left Runyan’s pockets even deeper.
Time will tell if it was a worthwhile investment.
“I’m really happy with how the first three days of camp have gone so far,” Runyan said. “I feel like we’re picking up right where we started at OTAs. It’s been really exciting.”
