EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 18: Safety Landon Collins #21 of the New York Giants reacts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at MetLife Stadium on November 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
After conflicting reports earlier, Landon Collins appears to have confirmed that he will not be returning to the New York Giants.
Earlier today, conflicting reports suggested that Landon Collins may or may not be leaving the New York Giants. ESPN reporter Josina Anderson tweeted that Collins had cleaned out his locker, while Ralph Vacchiano of SNY tweeted that his locker had not been emptied.
In response to these reports, New York Post reporter Paul Schwartz tweeted in part “Landon Collins HAS NOT cleaned out his locker.” The Giants safety responded and said “The stuff in that locker that I have left I do not need.”
This tweet would appear to confirm his previously reported departure from New York.
Collins will become a free agent in March if he cannot negotiate a new deal with the Giants. While he had previously said he wanted to stay in New York, his desire seemed to waver as the Giants began negotiations. He is consistently among the top-ranked safeties in free agency, and with the player appearing to confirm that he is heading to the market, he is expected to court a big deal.
Collins was drafted by the Giants in 2015. He had a breakout year in 2016, but has struggled to maintain that level of excellence in subsequent seasons. In 2018, his struggles reflected those of his team, and in Week 13, his season finished when he was placed on IR with a shoulder injury.
Despite his recent struggles, Collins is considered one of the best safeties available in free agency, alongside veteran Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas.
It remains unclear whether Collins has confirmed that the New York Giants are not franchise tagging him or if he is saying that he will not play under the tag. The organization has not released a statement.