EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – One of the Giants' persistent questions throughout the offseason was who would provide them with a consistent pass rush. With the team in the early stages of training camp, a likely answer has emerged, and it's the same player who did last year.
Outside linebacker Markus Golden – whose 10.0 sacks in 2019 were more than twice the total of any other Giants defender – today re-signed with the team. Golden, who is entering his sixth NFL season, rejoins a group of outside backers that includes three-year veteran Lorenzo Carter and second-year pro Oshane Ximines – who tied for second on the team with 4.5 sacks last season – free agent acquisition Kyler Fackrell, who had 10.5 sacks for Green Bay in 2018, and 2020 draft choices Cam Brown and Carter Coughlin. Golden has 29.0 career sacks. Carter, Ximines and Fackrell have a combined 29.5 sacks.
Golden, 29, had been an unrestricted free agent. Soon after the NFL Draft in late April, theGiants placed a seldom-used unrestricted free agent tender on Golden. When he did not sign with another team by the first day of training camp, the Giants regained exclusive rights to his services for the 2020 season.
The reunion should be fortuitous for both the team and the player.
In his first season with the Giants in 2019, Golden was one of six players – including four on defense - to start all 16 games. He was one of 18 NFL players with at least 10.0 sacks. Golden was the first Giants player with a double-digit sack total since Jason Pierre-Paul had 12.5 in 2014 and the first Giants linebacker to accomplish the feat since Lawrence Taylor had 10.5 in 1990. Golden finished fifth with 72 tackles (37 solo). He had a season-high eight tackles (five solo) vs. Green Bay on Dec. 1.
Golden had at least a half-sack in five consecutive games from Sept. 15-Oct. 10 – including a season-best 2.0 sacks at Tampa Bay on Sept. 22 – to become the first Giants player with a streak that long since Olivier Vernon from Nov. 6 - Dec. 4, 2016.
Should Golden lead the team in sacks this year, he will be the first Giants player to do so in consecutive seasons since Pierre-Paul in 2011-12.
Golden scored his first career touchdown on Oct. 10 at New England when he scooped up a Tom Brady fumble that was forced by Carter and returned it 42 yards. Golden's touchdown was the first by a Giants player on a fumble return since Jan. 1, 2017, when cornerback Trevin Wade scored on an 11-yard return on the game's last play at Washington. The 42-yard fumble return was the longest by a Giants player since Vernon's 43-yarder vs. Washington on Oct. 28, 2018, and the longest for a touchdown since Pierre-Paul's 43-yarder at Cleveland on Nov. 27, 2016.
Golden joined the Giants as a free agent on March 15, 2019, after four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
View photos of outside linebacker Markus Golden.
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) reacts against the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) during a preseason week 2 game against the Chicago Bears at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) during a preseason week 2 game against the Chicago Bears at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants LB Markus Golden (44) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) takes part in a week 7 regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on Sunday October 20th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) returns a fumble for a touchdown in a week 6 regular season game against the New England Patriots on Thursday October 10th, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) returns a fumble for a touchdown during a week 6 regular season game against the New England Patriots on Thursday October 10th, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) takes part in a week 3 regular season game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday September 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) takes part in a week 4 regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium on Sunday October 6th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants' Markus Golden (44) celebrates over Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants LB Markus Golden (44) during a regular season week 3 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James in Tampa, FL.
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) takes part in a week 2 regular season game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on Sunday September 15th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) takes part in a week 2 regular season game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on Sunday September 15th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden in action during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Markus Golden (44) celebrates over Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) rushes the edge during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants in overtime, 23-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) tackles Philadelphia Eagles running back Boston Scott (35) during an NFL football game Sunday December 29th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday December 15th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) tackles Philadelphia Eagles running back Boston Scott (35) during an NFL football game Sunday December 29th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Washington Redskins quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) is sacked by New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) and linebacker Oshane Ximines (53) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday December 29th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) rushes during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants in overtime, 23-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants defensive end B.J. Hill (95) and linebacker Markus Golden (44) sack Washington Redskins quarterback Case Keenum during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday December 15th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants in overtime, 23-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants' Markus Golden celebrates after sacking Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) points to Giants fans in the crowd after recording a sack during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Chicago. The Bear defeated the Giants 19-14. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) during an NFL game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Chicago. The Bear defeated the Giants 19-14. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) celebrates a sack during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Colts 19-14. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) celebrates a sack during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Colts 19-14. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) waits for the snap during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Colts 19-14. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) rushes the passer during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday Nov. 10, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets defeated the Giants 34-27. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) plays against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) waits for the snap during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Colts 19-14. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants cornerback Sam Beal (23) and linebacker Markus Golden (44) celebrate a sack during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday Nov. 10, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets defeated the Giants 34-27. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) pass rushes during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Colts 19-14. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Dallas won 37-18. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) is tackled by New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) during an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, NJ. The Cowboys defeated the Giants, 38-17. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Blake Jarwin (89) blocks New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) during an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Dallas won 37-18. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Arizona won 27-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden plays against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday October 20, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) in action against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Arizona won 27-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Arizona won 27-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday October 20, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) makes a tackle during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday October 20, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday October 20, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) takes a defensive position during an NFL game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Giants 35-14. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) picks up a fumble and returns it for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Thursday October 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass, (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants' Markus Golden celebrates a sack during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) rushes against New England Patriots offensive tackle Marcus Cannon (61) during an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Giants, 35-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) picks up a fumble and returns it for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Thursday October 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass, (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants' Markus Golden (44) celebrates a sack during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) celebrates a fumble return for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Thursday October 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass, (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) picks up a fumble and returns it for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Thursday October 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass, (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) picks up a fumble and returns it for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Thursday October 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass, (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) rushes during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Giants, 35-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Thursday October 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass, (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) gets set at the line of scrimmage prior to the snap during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Giants, 35-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) celebrates after a defensive play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. The Giants defeated the Buccaneers 32-31. (Perry Knotts via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) motions during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. The Giants won 31-31. (Paul Abell via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday September 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. ( Tom DiPace via AP)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) is sacked by New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) motions during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday September 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday September 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) gets taken down by New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) looks on during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Bills defeated the Giants, 28-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden (44) during a preseason week 2 game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, August 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
In Arizona, Golden played in 46 regular-season games with 24 starts, and he started both postseason games in which he has played. His best season was 2016, when he played in all 16 games with three starts and tied for third in the NFL with a career-high and team-leading 12.5 sacks. Golden led the team with 19 tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with four forced fumbles.
The following season, he started the first four games and collected 12 tackles (11 solo), including one for a loss, before suffering a season-ending torn ACL vs. San Francisco on Oct. 1. Golden returned in 2018 to record 2.5 sacks while starting all 11 games in which he played.
Golden, a former standout at Missouri, joined the Cardinals as a second-round draft choice in 2015.
*The Giants removed one player but added another to the reserve/COVID-19 list. Wide receiver David Sills, who was added to the list a week ago today, returned to the team. Second-year linebacker Josiah Tauaefa was placed on the list.
As a rookie in 2019, Tauaefa played 12 games as a reserve linebacker and on special teams. He totaled three solo tackles, including two for a loss, all in his NFL debut vs. Minnesota on Oct. 6. Tauaefa added three tackles and one forced fumble on special teams.
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