On Monday, the New York Giants agreed to a deal with veteran linebacker Connor Barwin. According to NFL.com, the deal is for two years and could be worth up to $5 million. A second-round pick in 2009, Barwin will be entering his tenth season in the NFL. Listed at 6-4, 255 lbs., he will turn 32 years old on October 15. He is the second linebacker that played for the Los Angeles Rams last season that is now on the Giants' roster. The team also acquired Alec Ogletree from Los Angeles earlier in the offseason. According to NJ.com, Barwin will be reunited with his former linebackers coach with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2013-15 in Bill McGovern.

Last season with the Rams

Barwin spent last season with the Rams, his only year with the team. He appeared in 14 games and started 13 of them at outside linebacker. He ended the year with 34 recorded tackles, five sacks, and a fumble recovery. He was also credited for half a sack in Los Angeles’ postseason loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Against the Giants in Week 9, Barwin was able to sack Eli Manning.

Barwin’s career with the Texans and Eagles

Selected with the 46th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, Barwin’s professional career started with the Houston Texans where he spent four seasons. His best year came in 2011 when he finished with 11.5 sacks (tied for ninth in the NFL) while starting all 16 games for Houston.

His Houston tenure ended in 2012, as he joined the Eagles -- where he played from 2013-16. Barwin was one of the more dominant pass rushers in the league during the 2014 season, as his 14.5 sacks were tied for fourth in the NFL. That season, he was named to the Pro Bowl.

Altogether in his nine NFL seasons, Barwin has recorded 55.5 sacks, forced seven fumbles, recovered four fumbles, and intercepted one pass.

Linebacker depth chart of the Giants

According to Ourlads.com, the Giants' projected starting linebackers are Olivier Vernon, Alec Ogletree, BJ Goodson, and Lorenzo Carter. The team is switching to a 3-4 defense this season under new defensive coordinator James Bettcher (who previously had the same title with the Arizona Cardinals from 2015-17).

Carter was selected in the third round by the Giants in this year’s draft and may not be ready to be a full-time starter right away. Barwin helps to fill a team need of rushing the quarterback, especially after they traded Jason Pierre-Paul to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Giants finished tied for 29th in the NFL last season with only 27 sacks.
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