Getty Images

The Giants used their franchise tag on defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul at this time last year, but there’s no chance that they’ll be doing so for a second year in a row.

Pierre-Paul missed half the season after seriously injuring his right hand in a July 4 fireworks mishap and had more surgery on the hand after the end of the season in hopes of improving his grip after playing with his hand wrapped like a club upon his return to action. Pierre-Paul showed flashes of his ability to rush the passer off the edge in those games, but recorded just one sack because of the issues holding onto quarterbacks once he got to them.

As a result, Jordan Raanan of NJ.com reports there’s a limit to how far the Giants are willing to go to hold onto Pierre-Paul. Raanan reports they are willing to sign the defensive end to a one-year, “prove-it deal” as they look for answers about what kind of player he will be able to be given the hand injury. Pierre-Paul isn’t likely to sign such a deal until he hears what other teams are willing to offer, which should mean he hits the “legal tampering” window without a new deal in place with the Giants.

Defensive end Robert Ayers and cornerback Prince Amukamara also appear set to speak with other teams as the Giants work to put together a team that can end their four-year playoff drought.