EAST RUTHERFORD -- It could be Tom Coughlin vs. Jerry Reese in early March, and the former Giants coach may have the goods to rob them of their top free agent.

Jason Pierre-Paul wants to return to the Giants, but the defensive end made it clear Monday his pending free agency will be all business. Pierre-Paul said he will make the best decision for his family, and that means signing a multi-year, big money contract. He's done with one-year deals and the franchise tag.

The Giants figure to be serious contenders to retain Pierre-Paul's services. Coughlin, who will be introduced as the Jaguars' new executive vice president of football operations on Thursday, will be in strong position to make Pierre-Paul an offer he can't refuse if he hits the market.

Coughlin and the Jaguars are currently projected to have close to $65 million in cap space this offseason, according to Over The Cap. Pass rush will be one of the Jaguars' top priorities this offseason, as they will be making up for lost time.

Jacksonville lost out to the Giants for Olivier Vernon last spring, and then failed to sign former Giants defensive end Robert Ayers, who landed with the Buccaneers. The Jags had 33 sacks as a team in the 2016 regular season, tied for 19th in the league.

Pierre-Paul will be arguably the most attractive defensive end set to hit the market this year. He had seven sacks in 12 games. Yannick Ngakoue led the Jaguars with eight sacks in 16 games. Pierre-Paul would be a good scheme fit for the Jaguars as well. Newly-promoted head coach Doug Marrone is retaining defensive coordinator Todd Wash, but Wash is expected to break from ex-coach Gus Bradley's hybrid system and run a more traditional 4-3 defense in 2017, according to ESPN.

Jacksonville could also be an appealing destination to Pierre-Paul, who makes his home in south Florida. And there's no state income tax!

The Giants want to bring Pierre-Paul back, but they also have to be realistic. By signing him to a one-year, prove-it deal for 2016, they gave him the opportunity to do just that. Reese and the rest of the front office now find themselves facing a potential numbers crunch. There is a good chance another team will be able to overwhelm their best offer and sign Pierre-Paul away. Coughlin and the Jaguars may be that team.

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James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.