John Harbaugh has already reunited with defensive back Ar’Darius Washington, but another familiar face is returning to the New York Giants in 2026 NFL free agency.
It’s versatile safety Jason Pinnock, who inked “a one-year deal worth $1.215 million” on Friday, March 13, according to NorthJersey.com’s Art Stapleton. The latter also reported “It’s a VSB deal that should count $1.075M against the salary cap.”
Pinnock’s comeback marks the second notable move the Giants have made to expand the depth chart at safety. The presence of both Pinnock and Harbaugh favorite Washington, whose arrival was confirmed on Thursday, raises doubts about the status of last season’s starters Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin.
There are also worthy questions to be asked about Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen’s strategy in the 2026 NFL draft. Especially related to Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, one of the stud’s of this year’s class who has already been tipped to join Harbaugh’s rebuild of the Giants.
Jason Pinnock Reunion Welcome for Giants
Pinnock spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers, but he had shown a nose for the ball before switching teams. The 26-year-old’s best moment in a Giants uniform was this 102-yard pick-six against the Miami Dolphins in 2023.
📺: FOX
Splash plays became a happy habit for a flexible DB who was boom or bust for Big Blue. Pinnock also forced five fumbles and logged 6.5 sacks with the Giants, per Pro Football Reference.
His ability to play both safety spots, as well as cornerback since entering the pros as a fifth-round draft pick of the New York Jets in 2021, will be highly useful to an evolving Giants defense. The changes are most notable in the secondary, where former Baltimore Ravens breakout gem Washington can also make an impact.
Ar’Darius Washington Will Change Mentality for New Team
Washington went from undrafted fill-in to standout playmaker for Harbaugh’s Ravens thanks to an intense mentality based on toughness and maximum physicality. The 5-foot-8, 180-pounder defied his diminutive stature with high-impact plays like this hit and forced fumble on former Giants quarterback Russell Wilson against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024.
A torn achilles suffered last offseason wrecked Washington’s progress, but he can change the way the Giants play at safety, provided he’s fully healthy. Washington could even play his way into a starting role as surer hitter than Nubin, who regressed last season with eight missed tackles.
Similar problems wrapping up also blighted the performances of Holland. He was content to blame the defensive front, but Holland couldn’t escape his own culpability in how often the Giants failed to bring down runners.
This many issues with Holland and Nubin explains why the Giants are predicted to draft Downs with the fifth-overall pick. It’s a scenario endorsed by a Hall of Fame former head coach for the franchise.
Downs would be a day-one starter for Harbaugh and new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, but both will appreciate the versatility offered by Washington and Pinnock. They can each operate in multiple spots across the defensive backfield, so either could go from projected depth to surprise starer for a position group undergoing a necessary overhaul.
Giants Reunite With Safety After Ar’Darius Washington Move