Art Stapleton

Staff Writer, @art_stapleton

Janoris Jenkins shrugged off the suggestion he was making a pitch to Giants brass.

It was this time last week when the Pro Bowl cornerback made the rounds as part of the festivities preceding Super Bowl LI, doing interviews on Radio Row and detailing everything from his successful first season in the Big Apple to his intent to continue his training regimen of chasing jackrabbits in the offseason to increase his speed and agility.

That is, of course, how Jenkins got his “Jackrabbit” nickname.

When it came to discussing next season, Jenkins was clear: if he was the one calling the free agent shots in the front office, he’d do what he could to give the 2016 Giants defense the chance at another run in 2017.

“Man, it’s not about them understanding or hearing me [make a pitch about free agency], it’s about winning a championship,” Jenkins said with a smirk. “You know, you build a defense, you got the pieces, why would you separate them right then when they’re at the peak or about to be the peak and the prime of the organization. Keep everybody together. That’s why teams don’t ever go back to back. Or back to back to back. Free agency and trades. But keep us together and we’ll make something happen.”

Jason Pierre-Paul and Jonathan Hankins are free agents, leaving the other half of the defensive front – last season’s big-ticket items in Olivier Vernon and Damon Harrison – as the centerpieces. The Giants could opt to retain Pierre-Paul with a franchise tag, but that would be a far greater salary cap hit for 2017. Plus, he wants a long-term deal and a tag would likely create some unwanted animosity.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has a significant salary cap number and has been mentioned as a possible casualty, but he is coming off his best season as a Giant.

“It’s the NFL, that’s how it works,” Jenkins said. “New players in, new players out. Hopefully we bring everybody back along with DRC and JPP. I’m rooting for those guys. They’ll be back. Yeah, they’ll be back. We just have to come out and bring it. We all have to compete and have fun.”

Maybe it was Jenkins’ way to speak that into existence, or if he truly believes that is what will happen.

It’s too early to know whether the Giants need any convincing. We’ll start finding out soon enough.