EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants today agreed to contract terms (contingent on passing of his physical) with one of their most productive defensive players in the 2019 season.
Linebacker David Mayo, who joined the team less than a week before the season opener, played in all 16 games and finished second on the team (tied with linebacker Alec Ogletree) with 80 tackles (50 solo). Mayo had 2.0 sacks, five tackles for loss, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery. He also had two special teams tackles.
The Giants signed Mayo on Sept. 2, two days after he was cut by the San Francisco 49ers. He played in the season opener in Dallas six days later and in a reserve role in each of the first three games. Mayo moved into the starting lineup on Sept. 29 against Washington and started each of he final 13 games.
Mayo had a season-high 12 tackles (eight solo) including a half-sack at New England on Oct. 10 and 10 tackles (four solo) at Washington on Dec. 22. He had the first full suck of his career vs. Arizona on Oct. 20 and a half-sack against Philadelphia in the season finale.
The 2020 season will be Mayo's sixth in the NFL. He entered the league as a fifth-round draft choice from Texas State in 2015 by the Carolina Panthers, whose general manager then was Dave Gettleman, who now holds the same position with the Giants.
Mayo played four years for the Panthers before signing as a free agent with the 49ers on March 14, 2019. San Francisco released him at the end of training camp, a transaction that soon benefitted the Giants.
In five seasons, Mayo has played in 75 regular-season games with 17 starts. His totals include 112 tackles (69 solo), 2.0 sacks and 37 special teams tackles.
Mayo has played in all 16 games each of the last three seasons.
Ogletree, who also started 13 games, was waived on Feb. 26, leaving Mayo as the Giants' most experienced inside linebacker.
Mayo played in 29 games in three seasons (2012-2014) at Texas State after playing one year at Santa Monica College. His career totals included 284 tackles (157 solo), four interceptions, three forced fumbles, 2.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery. As a senior in 2014, he was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year after tying the conference record for tackles in a season with 154 (72 solo).
View photos of linebacker David Mayo, who agreed to terms with the Giants.
New York Giants linebacker David Mayo (55) recovers a fumble during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Monday December 9th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) runs down field during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 23-17 in overtime. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants LB David Mayo (55) during a week 15 game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) stops Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders (26) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants LB David Mayo (55) during a week 13 game against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants LB David Mayo (55) during a week 15 game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
LB David Mayo (55)
Miami Dolphins running back Patrick Laird (42) is tackled by New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) celebrates after recovering a turnover during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 23-17 in overtime. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants Media Day Photography Shoot.
New York Giants linebacker David Mayo (55) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday October 6, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) stops Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants linebacker David Mayo (55) during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday December 29th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) tries to stop Miami Dolphins wide receiver Albert Wilson (15) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker David Mayo (55) drops into coverage during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday Dec.1 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Packers defeated the Giants 31-13. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants linebacker David Mayo (55) during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday December 29th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants linebacker David Mayo (55) during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday December 29th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants linebacker David Mayo (55) during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday December 22nd, 2019 in Landover, Md (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants linebackers Markus Golden (44) and David Mayo (55) team up to stop Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) during an NFL game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Chicago. The Bear defeated the Giants 19-14. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) lifts tight end Kaden Smith, center, after he caught the game-winning touchdown pass from quarterback Daniel Jones during overtime of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Landover, Md. The Giants won 41-35 in overtime. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
New York Giants linebacker David Mayo (55) recovers a fumble during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Monday December 9th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Miami Dolphins running back Patrick Laird (42) is tackled by New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker David Mayo (55) before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday December 1st, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Dallas won 37-18. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants linebacker David Mayo (55) looks into the backfield during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Chicago. The Bear defeated the Giants 19-14. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New York Giants linebacker David Mayo (55) looks into the backfield during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Chicago. The Bear defeated the Giants 19-14. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) breaks up a pass intended for Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen (29) during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) runs in pursuit during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Giants 19-14. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Dallas won 37-18. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants linebacker David Mayo (55) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday November 24, 2019 in Chicago (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Arizona won 27-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants linebacker David Mayo (55) tackles Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) during an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, NJ. The Cowboys defeated the Giants, 38-17. (James D. Smith via AP)
New York Giants linebacker David Mayo (55) in action on defense during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Detroit. The Lions defeated the Giants 31-26. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Arizona won 27-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) runs in coverage during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Arizona won 27-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) in coverage during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 35-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) runs in coverage during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Arizona won 27-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) runs in coverage during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Arizona won 27-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants linebacker David Mayo (55) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday September 8, 2019 in Arlington,Texas. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Arizona won 27-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants Media Day Photography Shoot.
New York Giants Media Day Photography Shoot.
New York Giants Media Day Photography Shoot.
New York Giants Media Day Photography Shoot.
LB David Mayo (55)
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