Markus Golden's Standout Season Amid Giants' Disappointments

The New York Giants have had a disappointing year. They are currently experiencing their sixth losing season since winning the Super Bowl in 2011. However, amidst the struggles, there have been a few bright spots, such as Eli Manning’s performance in what is expected to be his final start and linebacker Markus Golden's impressive resurgence. The 28-year-old has recorded 65 tackles, 10 sacks, and even returned a fumble for a touchdown this season.

While these statistics are commendable, it's the sacks that Golden values most. He has an incentive clause in his contract that grants him a cool million dollars if he achieves at least 10 sacks. After the Giants’ thrilling 41-35 overtime victory over the Washington Redskins in Week 16, Golden stood at 9.5 sacks. As sharp-eyed mathematicians can attest, 9.5 is not quite the magical number of 10.

Here's the intriguing turn of events: Early in the third quarter of that game, Giants linebacker Lorenzo Carter managed to grab Washington quarterback Dwayne Haskins by the ankle. Golden swooped in and took Haskins down. Initially, the two players shared half a sack for that play, but a few days later, a stat correction awarded Golden a full sack, bringing his total to 10.5 and securing him that coveted $1 million bonus!

Golden had an impressive 12.5 sacks with the Arizona Cardinals in 2016, but injuries limited him to just 2.5 sacks across the 2017 and 2018 seasons. This offseason, the Giants signed him to a one-year, $3.75 million deal, presenting it as the ultimate “prove it” contract. Golden has undoubtedly risen to the challenge, demonstrating his resilience and determination.

"It's always a goal to get double-digit sacks," he remarked to ESPN after the stat correction. "If you're rushing the passer, you want to get there. It's a status thing – 9.5 is a big difference than 10. It feels good to get it down, get it over with, and, like I said, be able to put it out for my kids to be able to keep playing, keep fighting." This season's performance suggests that Golden is not just playing for the present, but also positioning himself for a significant payday this summer. Thanks to an attentive statistician, he got a head start on that reward.

Table of Contents

• Season Summary
• Contract Details
• Future Outlook

Season Summary

This season has been a rollercoaster for the New York Giants, and while the overall team performance has been underwhelming, Markus Golden has emerged as a shining example of perseverance and talent. With his impressive stats, he has not only contributed to the team's defense but has also set himself up for a potential lucrative future.

Contract Details

Golden’s contract with the Giants is a classic "prove it" deal, pushing him to showcase his skills and secure a longer-term contract. His performance this season, especially post-correction, may very well lead to further opportunities in the NFL.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Golden's impressive stats and the recent success are likely to earn him significant interest during the offseason. His resilience and ability to bounce back from injuries highlight his determination to succeed in the league.