Jason Pinnock, Giants
Getty
New York Giants defensive back Jason Pinnock warming up ahead of an NFL game against the New York Jets.
Another New York Jets reunion was so close, yet so far.
NFL defensive back Jason Pinnock teased a return to the Jets in free agency before ultimately joining the New York Giants.
NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY revealed that Pinnock signed a one-year deal for $1.2 million (the veteran minimum).
Connor Hughes
Sources: The #Giants are giving safety Jason Pinnock a 1-year, VSB (vet minimum; ~$1.2m).
Good value. Pinnock has 46 career starts, including seven with the 49ers last year (41 tackles).
Pinnock’s Social Media Activity
The former Pitt product tweeted out a pair of plane emojis, “✈️✈️” on March 10.
That sent Jets Twitter into a tizzy, thinking Pinnock was teasing a potential return to the green and white.
Pinnock woke up the next morning after it went viral and posted, “What did i wake up to😭 damn i love & miss the jets fans tho! But thats not what that was❤️🩹.”
“You’re a free agent posting- and I quote – ‘✈️✈️’ on day 2 of free agency, my guy. How was that supposed to be interpreted?!,” a Jets fan responded to Pinnock’s explanation.
“Always funny when ppl get upset about their own misinterpretation… a plane means on the move tho🤷🏾♂️ i think this is a jet “🛩️” if im not mistaken, all love tho!!,” Pinnock told the fan.
JPinny
@Jetsfan224 Always funny when ppl get upset about their own misinterpretation… a plane means on the move tho🤷🏾♂️ i think this is a jet “🛩️” if im not mistaken, all love tho!!
Pinnock, 26, will turn 27 before the start of the 2026 season. He started his career with the Jets as the No. 175 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Pinnock spent a year and a half with the Jets. During final roster cuts in 2022, the Jets tried to get cute. They waived Pinnock, trying to sneak him through waivers, but he was claimed by the Giants.
Then head coach Robert Saleh explained that sometimes you have to play “roster roulette.” In this particular case, the Jets lost.
Pinnock has been in the NFL for five seasons. During that stretch, he has appeared in 75 games and has made 46 starts.
With those opportunities, Pinnock has collected two interceptions, 11 pass deflections, five forced fumbles, 6.5 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, 13 tackles for loss, and 268 total tackles.
Instead of reuniting with the Jets, Pinnock has reunited with the Giants. He spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers.
Jets Bring Back Veteran LB
While the green and white didn’t reunite with Pinnock, they did re-sign a veteran linebacker from last year.
Justin Fried of The Jet Press was the first to share on social media that the Jets have inked veteran Mykal Walker on a one-year deal. The team later confirmed the move.
“Walker played well for the Jets down the stretch, finishing as PFF’s 8th highest grade LB from Weeks 14-18 (min. 130 snaps). Also a key special teams contributor. Played 81% of ST snaps in 2025,” Fried posted.
Justin Fried
The #Jets have re-signed LB Mykal Walker on a 1-year deal, per source.
Walker played well for the Jets down the stretch, finishing as PFF’s 8th highest grade LB from Weeks 14-18 (min. 130 snaps).
Also a key special teams contributor. Played 81% of ST snaps in 2025.
Walker, 28, will turn 29 before the start of the 2026 season. The former Azusa Pacific and Fresno State product has bounced around the league. Walker entered the league as the No. 119 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft.
Across his six seasons in the NFL, Walker has suited up for seven teams. He has appeared in 88 games and has made 30 starts. With those opportunities, Walker has racked up 272 tackles, four interceptions, 14 pass deflections, a forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, and eight tackles for loss.