Giants News: Hard Knocks Reveals New York Wanted Chiefs Star in Free Agency

The NFL is taking a much broader stroke in terms of what is being covered for “Hard Knocks” this season. On top of targeting the entire AFC North for the in-season version of the series, the New York Giants are also being highlighted in a new “offseason” format that takes fans and viewers through the team’s draft and free agency moves.

Read more: Giants’ Intriguing Offseason Dissected in New HBO ‘Hard Knocks’ Trailer

One of the biggest moves the Giants made this offseason included acquiring perennial edge rusher Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers. Though this is arguably one of the biggest free agency gets in 2024, the Giants were attempting to pull off an even bigger acquisition.

According to the “Hard Knocks” series, Director of Pro Scouting Chris Rossetti said this about attempting to acquire Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones:

“Future Hall of Fame player. Still game-wrecking talent. Makes football look easy at times. When he’s dialed in, playing within the scheme and he’s unblockable, it’s hard not to imagine the good things that would come with him and Dex together in the middle. They’re the two best defensive tackles in football. You watch the tape and you see Chris Jones getting double-teamed every snap, and the guy on the other just having one block. You just imagine that’s Dex with one guy on him every time. You know, the possibilities, the game-wrecking capability is there. Financially, is it possible where we’re at? You’re looking at like a $35 million cap hit next year.”

Jones was one of the biggest free agent stories in the NFL, and the Chiefs were close to allowing their biggest defensive weapon, a critical part of their Super Bowl champion team, to walk out of the building. That did not come to fruition, and the team awarded him a five-year, $160 million deal to keep him in-house.

That was the smartest move the team could have made, as Jones finished 2023 with 10.5 sacks, which is a highly impressive number for a defensive tackle. As Rossetti indicated, Jones continually gets doubled teams as he is a nightmare to deal with on the defensive line.

Jones was an integral part of the Super Bowl team the Chiefs have had the past two seasons. The Giants understood this and were attempting to secure him and pair him with Dexter Lawrence. Those two would have made quite the tandem for offensive lines to deal with.

The Giants also revealed they were chasing former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who had nine sacks in 2023. Wilkins would walk in free agency, landing a massive four-year, $110 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The defensive output for the Giants was a big sticking point for the team, and though they missed out on both Jones and Wilkins, they still managed to land one of the best edge rushers in the game.

That’s not to mention that the Giants already have Kayvon Thibodeaux, who should cause plenty of havoc with Burns lining up with him.