Landon Collins has made it no secret he would like to remain a Giant beyond this year, despite how the last two seasons have gone.
But the two sides have not started any talks to make sure it happens, according to the safety.
“Nothing about contracts or anything’s been talked about yet,” Collins said Thursday. “So when we get there, I’ll let you know.”
The Giants passed on trading Collins before last week’s deadline, despite reportedly listening to offers for the pending free agent, and instead only shipped out Eli Apple and Damon Harrison. Over the weekend, ESPN reported the Giants would likely use the franchise tag on Collins if they are unable to sign him to an extension.
“When we get there, we’re going to get there,” Collins said. “There’s no time to be talking about that.”
Collins, in his fourth season, may not want to talk about contracts during the season, but the Giants’ 1-7 record means there will likely be plenty of discussion over his future the rest of the way. As players have come and gone around him, especially under the new regime, Collins has remained a constant, missing only a Week 17 game last season after breaking his forearm.
Since he got a taste of his first playoff game as a second-year pro, Collins has been one of the best players for a franchise that has won just four times in its last 24 games. And for the second straight year, starting Monday night against the 49ers, the second half of the Giants’ season will be played with an eye toward the future.
“Guys know they’re still playing for something for themselves — either their family, the name on your back, or just interviewing for the other [31] teams if you’re [not] still on this team,” Collins said.
Plenty of attention was paid in the preseason to the Giants’ other star who was entering the final year of his contract in Odell Beckham Jr., who did sign an extension before the season. Collins, meanwhile, has quietly gone about his business without a guaranteed future.
Chiefs safety Eric Berry owns the biggest contract at the position in the NFL after signing a six-year, $78 million deal last year. Seahawks safety Earl Thomas figured to be in line for the next big deal, holding out of training camp before coming back without one and breaking his leg in Week 4.
If Collins and the Giants must settle for a stopgap, the projected franchise tag for safeties is $10.8 million, according to overthecap.com.
While Collins’ stats this year may not tell his full value — he has no interceptions, one forced fumble and a team-high 62 tackles — his teammates certainly will.
“He’s definitely a pillar of a team,” safety and special-teams captain Michael Thomas said. “There’s a reason he has a ‘C’ on his chest. Great leader, he’s personable, he’s approachable, both on and off the field. … Whatever coach is asking him to do between coverage, between playing in the box, between blitzing — he’s always going toward the game-plan guy, whoever we need to stop. So I’ve seen him do it all, man.”
It was only a year ago the Giants went to Santa Clara, Calif., with an identical record and fell victim as the 49ers won their first game, 31-21. Collins is one of just nine players on the 53-man roster who played in that game but plans on having a different experience.
“That’s definitely crazy,” Collins said of the similar setting. “But I don’t think the outcome — I’m not saying we’re going to win, but how they took over on us last year — will be the same.”