Arizona Cardinals sign former Giants OL Justin Pugh
Mar 16, 2018, 8:23 PM | Updated: Mar 17, 2018, 9:12 am
New York Giants offensive guard Justin Pugh celebrates after defeating the Denver Broncos in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
The Arizona Cardinals have agreed to a five-year deal with former New York Giants offensive lineman Justin Pugh, the team announced Saturday.
The deal is worth up to a reported $45 million.
Pugh played both left guard and right tackle in his time with the Giants. Health, not his overall performance, has been the biggest question mark associated with Pugh.
He ended the 2017 season on injured reserve with a back injury and has missed 13 games over the last two seasons.
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Originally drafted by the Giants No. 19 overall in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Pugh started at right tackle in his first two seasons. He would go on to play left guard in 2015, receiving high grades from Pro Football Focus in both 2015 and 2016 for his play at the position.
At guard, the Cardinals had Mike Iupati, Evan Boehm, Earl Watford, Will Holden and Alex Boone start at one of the two spots in 2017. Boone and Watford were both in-season additions and are now unrestricted free agents, while Iupati agreed to take a pay cut, dropping his base salary from $7.75 to $5 million guaranteed.
The Cardinals’ newest addition to the offensive line will meet with members of the media at 12 p.m. Saturday.
