For Jon Beason, New York is love at first sight
Jon Beason has been a Giant for about five minutes.
But he’s already decided he wants to stay forever.
After being shipped out of Carolina in trade less than three weeks ago, Beason has found a new home in a hurry.
“I don’t plan on going anywhere, ever. Ever,” Beason said, via Dave Hutchinson of the Newark Star Ledger . “I was talking to [special assistant for player development/assistant coach] Jessie Armstead. I was, ‘Man, when I’m done [playing] I want a job like you.
“Whatever it is you do, you’re still wearing the uniform. Thus far, the city has been real cool. It’s a great group of guys. They’ve welcomed me like I was a draft pick here. I’m happy. I want to be contributing.”
It was once that way for Beason in Carolina, where Beason was a first round pick, a foundation in the middle of the defense and the beneficiary of a post-lockout contract splurge. But then came the injuries and then came Luke Kuechly, and Beason was moved outside, marginalized and given a pay cut.
His contract restructuring this year included a void after this season that will make him a free agent, and he’s already thinking about the future. Giants safety Antrel Rolle is recruiting him as much as when he hosted Beason on a recruiting visit to Miami.
“I told him, ‘I’m coming up there and hopefully we can get this thing right,’” Beason said.
Beason can still be an effective player in an enclosed space, and has natural middle linebacker instincts. If he can stay well and the Giants can keep him playing in an alley (after the Panthers tried with mixed results playing him outside), it could be a good long-term fit.