The Giants were in the market for a running back, with nothing but uncertainty on their roster at that position. Everyone suspected they would go after one in free agency. That someone is Rashad Jennings, who tweeted he has accepted an offer from the Giants.
It’s a move that makes sense for the Giants. Jennings, 28, is coming off a strong season with the Raiders in which he ran the ball 163 times for 733 yards and six touchdowns, often subbing for the injured Darren McFadden. Jennings had a solid game Nov. 10 against the Giants at MetLife Stadium, rushing for 80 yards, with 55 coming in a very impressive first half.Â
Previously, Jennings spent four seasons with the Jaguars, mostly playing behind Maurice Jones-Drew. He is not considered to be a marquee running back, but the Giants need someone as insurance in case David Wilson cannot make a successful return from neck surgery. The leading rusher last season, Andre Brown, is an unrestricted free agent. The Giants have re-signed veteran Peyton Hillis, who joined the team in October, to a two-year, $1.8 million contract and also have Michael Cox about to enter his second NFL season.
The Raiders, if they want to keep Jennings, could have blown the Giants’ offer out of the water. No team has more than the $60 million in salary cap space the Raiders took into free agency, so the money is there if they want to spend it on Jennings. The Raiders, though, are expected to re-sign Darren McFadden.
In addition to his work in the backfield, Jennings is an accomplished special teams player. He blocked two punts this past season for the Raiders.