Strahan Signs Four-Year Deal

Michael Strahan, the New York Giants’ leader in sacks last season, opted against free agency and signed a new four-year contract.

Financial terms of the deal were not immediately available. The defensive end had been seeking a little over $12 million while the Giants had recently offered $10 million.

Strahan turned down a deal worth around $10 million during the summer and opted to play out his option, earning about $775,000 this season. The Giants could have retained his rights by making him a transitional player, meaning they would have been able to match any offer sheet he signed.

Strahan, who will turn 25 next month, was moved to left side during this summer’s training camp and has responded with a team-high four sacks in six games. New York’s defense has not given up an offensive touchdown in the last three games.

Last season, Strahan had the best season of his three-year career with 7 1/2 sacks.

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Giant rookie Danny Kanell, a fourth-round draft pick from Florida State, was moved up from No. 3 quarterback to No. 2 behind starter Dave Brown by Coach Dan Reeves.

The decision would appear to pave the way for Reeves to use Kanell at some point in a game should the Giant offense continue to stumble under Brown. But Reeves insisted the move was not made to put pressure on Brown.

“That’s the reason I talked to Dave about it last week, before we played the game,” Reeves said. “I wanted him to realize regardless of the outcome I was making the move.”

The Giants are last in the league in points scored (68).