Justin Pugh Signs with Arizona Cardinals
3/17/2018 9:52:00 PM | Football
TEMPE, Ariz. – Former Orange offensive lineman Justin Pugh signed a five-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, March 17. The deal is reportedly worth $45 million with a $9 million average annual salary.
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A first-round pick (19th overall) by the New York Giants in 2013, Pugh spent five seasons in New York and helped the Giants to a playoff appearance in 2016.
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Pugh started all 63 games he played for the Giants (36 at right tackle, 26 at left guard and one at left tackle), but was slowed by injuries. He appeared in 16 games only once and that was his rookie year. In 2017, Pugh was limited to eight games before being placed on injured reserve with a back injury.
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Pugh said at an introductory news conference Saturday he doesn't expect any lingering effects from the injury and that he will likely line up at right guard for the Cardinals.
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A Holland, Pa. native, Pugh was a three-time All-BIG EAST selection at Syracuse, earning first-team honors in 2011 and 2012. He anchored an Orange offensive line that blocked for three 1,000-yard rushers (Delone Carter, Antwon Bailey, Jerome Smith) and powered the team to two Pinstripe Bowl titles.
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In Arizona, Pugh reunites with former Syracuse teammate Chandler Jones. Jones and Pugh played three seasons (2009-11) together for the Orange and both were first-round draft picks.
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"We made a pact when he was a junior and I was a sophomore we'd both go first round," Pugh said.
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Jones was the 21st pick in the 2012 draft and Pugh went No. 19 a year later.
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Jones, who just finished his second season with the Cardinals, was an All-Pro outside linebacker and led the NFL with 17 sacks last year.
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According to league rules, Pugh, Jones and the rest of the Cardinals may begin offseason workouts April 2 under new head coach Steve Wilks.
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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A first-round pick (19th overall) by the New York Giants in 2013, Pugh spent five seasons in New York and helped the Giants to a playoff appearance in 2016.
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Pugh started all 63 games he played for the Giants (36 at right tackle, 26 at left guard and one at left tackle), but was slowed by injuries. He appeared in 16 games only once and that was his rookie year. In 2017, Pugh was limited to eight games before being placed on injured reserve with a back injury.
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Pugh said at an introductory news conference Saturday he doesn't expect any lingering effects from the injury and that he will likely line up at right guard for the Cardinals.
Â
A Holland, Pa. native, Pugh was a three-time All-BIG EAST selection at Syracuse, earning first-team honors in 2011 and 2012. He anchored an Orange offensive line that blocked for three 1,000-yard rushers (Delone Carter, Antwon Bailey, Jerome Smith) and powered the team to two Pinstripe Bowl titles.
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In Arizona, Pugh reunites with former Syracuse teammate Chandler Jones. Jones and Pugh played three seasons (2009-11) together for the Orange and both were first-round draft picks.
Â
"We made a pact when he was a junior and I was a sophomore we'd both go first round," Pugh said.
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Jones was the 21st pick in the 2012 draft and Pugh went No. 19 a year later.
Â
Jones, who just finished his second season with the Cardinals, was an All-Pro outside linebacker and led the NFL with 17 sacks last year.
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According to league rules, Pugh, Jones and the rest of the Cardinals may begin offseason workouts April 2 under new head coach Steve Wilks.
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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