The Giants were in need of a safety after Xavier McKinney left the Packers for big money, and they found a player for less on Tuesday, agreeing to terms with veteran Jalen Mills.
The Giants and their fans are well aware of Mills, 29, who played his first five NFL seasons with the Eagles.
He was nicknamed the “Green Goblin” because of his bright green hair.
Mills spent the past three seasons with the Patriots, starting eight games and playing in all 17 games in 2023.
Mills won a Super Bowl with the Eagles following the 2017 season.
These are not comparable players, so this is not a clear-cut swap, with McKinney out and Mills in.
McKinney, 24, is eyeing a big contract, receiving a four-year contract worth $68 million from the Packers.
The Giants valued McKinney as a player, but were unwilling to invest large sums of money at the position.
Mills received a one-year veteran’s pay benefits contract for $1.2 million. His 2024 salary cap will be $985,000.
A seventh-round pick out of LSU in 2016, Mills began his NFL career as a cornerback. He is a versatile addition to the defensive backfield.
The Giants have Jason Pinnock back as their starting safety and may be interested in giving third-year running back Dane Belton more minutes.
Mills will likely join in somewhere.
He played in 106 games, started 83 and has seven career interceptions.
