The Giants cut ties with Chase Blackburn once, but they are not planning to do so again. There’s a good chance the hard-working middle linebacker will be back for a ninth season, but only if the price is right.
“The Giants have expressed a desire to re-sign Chase,’’ Richard Katz, Blackburn’s agent, told The Post Friday. “We believe Chase has been very valuable to the club, both on and off the field. Right now we are assessing his dollar value to the Giants and reviewing all possible alternatives including the Giants.”
Blackburn, who will turn 30 on June 10, started 15 games this past season on a defense that allowed a franchise-record 6,134 total yards. The Giants already have parted ways with a starting linebacker this offseason, releasing Michael Boley last week.
Blackburn is set to become an unrestricted free agent — one of 18 the Giants have to sort through. He was in this position two years ago and the Giants opted to use rookies Greg Jones and Mark Herzlich to fill the void at middle linebacker.
Neither youngster was able to handle the job and Blackburn was brought back around Thanksgiving. He not only won back the starting job, but helped solidify the run defense and turned into a postseason hero, intercepting Tom Brady in Super Bowl XLVII.
If the Giants do not make a big move in free agency, Boley’s weak-side linebacker spot could be filled by Jacquian Williams or Spencer Paysinger, both entering their third NFL season. There is no one waiting in the wings at middle linebacker other than Herzlich, who did not distinguish himself in 2012 in limited playing time.
Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell praised Blackburn for knowing the defense as expertly as he does, but the run defense sagged all season and the Giants might seek to get more athletic at the position, even if they can come to terms on a new deal with Blackburn.