The Giants added an option at middle linebacker this offseason when they signed Keenan Robinson and they made another move to set up a competition with the player who closed out last year as the team’s starter at the position.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that the Giants and Jasper Brinkley have agreed to a one-year deal. Brinkley started the final nine games of the 2015 season in the middle of the defense.
Brinkley signed with the Giants after getting cut by the Cowboys before the start of the season and saw most of his playing time in the first half of the year on special teams. He moved up the depth chart once Jon Beason got hurt and had a solid season, finishing the year with 67 tackles, four forced fumbles and a sack.
Brinkley and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul have been re-signed by the Giants this month and they’ve added four players on defense, making it clear which side of the ball is the focus this offseason.