The New York Giants retain one of their standouts from the 2022 season. The club announced Thursday that it has signed wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins to a contract.
The Giants signed WR Isaiah Hodgins, who would become an exclusive rights free agent.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 16, 2023
Specific terms of Hodgins’ agreement were not immediately disclosed. However, this prevents the pass catcher from reaching free agency later this offseason.
The 24-year-old was destined to be an exclusive rights free agent. That means all New York needed to do to retain Hodgins was extend a qualifying offer. Because of this, he couldn’t trade with other teams. It’s currently unclear if the Giants chose to go the qualifying offer route or if they reached an agreement on a more lucrative and/or longer-term deal with their wide receiver. However, it is scheduled to return in 2023.
Hodgins originally entered the NFL as a sixth round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2020 out of Oregon State. He entered the 2022 season with Buffalo but was released on November 1. New York claimed him off waivers and reunited him with Giants coach Brian Daboll, who was his offensive coordinator with the Bills for the first two years of his career.
With the New York open reception room sold out, Hodgins leaned into the homestretch. He started five of the 10 games he played for the club to conclude the regular season. He also started both of the Giants’ playoff games, including their win over the Minnesota Vikings in the wild card. In that game, Hodgins caught eight of his nine targets for a career-high 105 yards and a touchdown.
New York is facing a crucial offseason in which both quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley are poised to hit free agency. In addition to retaining those pillars of their offense, they’ll likely also look to improve wide receiver spacing so Hodgins isn’t the only pass catcher.
The Giants have exceeded expectations, but will be underdogs to win the NFC East according to New York sportsbooks. They would have to get past the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles to reach that feat.
