The current Giants front office is well aware of Bobby McCain, and on Tuesday they added the adaptable defender to their defense.
McCain, 29, signed a one-year veteran salary contract, and he may end up replacing Julian Love, a starting safety in 2022 who left the Giants for the Seahawks after receiving a higher offer.
McCain played with the Commanders for the previous two seasons, starting 32 games. He twice intercepted Jake Fromm when competing against the Giants in 2021, recovering one of the fumbles for his first career touchdown.
McCain started 16 games for the Dolphins in 2020. In 2015, the Dolphins drafted him out of Memphis in the fifth round.
Dennis Hickey, who is currently the associate director of player personnel for the Giants, served as the general manager of the Dolphins at the time.
McCain has the complete backing of the Giants Brain Trust because they think he is a great leader.
McCain will compete for an entry-level position. The coaching staff will look for ways to use him at both positions because he can line up as a nickelback or play deep safety. Throughout his 121 NFL games, he has 11 interceptions (87 starts)He’s played 93 percent of snaps in defense for the Commanders over the past two seasons.
McCain is the first defenseman signed by the Giants during this year’s free agency. He probably won’t be the last as improving depth at cornerback was a priority.
Bobby McCain tackles Giants Matt Breida during a game in December AP
When Love signed with the Seahawks, the search for more depth and a possible starter in safety became another need.
Love in 2022 became a full-time starter for the first time, and he was on the field 95 percent of the time (more than any other defensive player) for 1,006 snaps.
The Giants made him a contract offer during bye week and kept the offer on the table after the season, but Love, one of the team’s most committed players, left for Seattle on a two-year, $12 million contract.
