Justin Tuck

Although projected to be a mid-first round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft,[13] Tuck was selected in the third round, 74th overall, by the New York Giants.[14] On July 29, 2005, Tuck signed a four-year $2.36 million contract with the Giants, which included a $737,000 signing bonus.[15]

Tuck's rookie season in the NFL found him behind Pro Bowl defensive ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora on the New York Giants depth chart, reducing his role to special teams and the first backup at each defensive end position. In total, Tuck played in 14 regular season games with one start and the NFC Wild Card Round.[16] His first career sack came against the Giants' NFC East rival, the Dallas Cowboys, in Week 13.[17]

Tuck finished his rookie season with 33 total tackles, one sack, two passes defended, one forced fumble, and 18 special teams tackles.[18]

During his sophomore season in 2006, Tuck was limited to just six games due to an injury suffered on October 23, 2006, in a New York Giants Monday Night Football victory over the Dallas Cowboys.[19] On November 17, Tuck underwent successful surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury.[19] The procedure included inserting screws into Tuck's foot.[19] For the 2006 season, Tuck recorded two solo tackles in six games.[20]

Despite starting only two games in the 2007 season, Tuck enjoyed his best season to that point, recording 65 tackles, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles during the regular season.[21] During the season, Tuck spelled both Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora at defensive end and on likely passing downs he teamed with Mathias Kiwanuka at defensive tackle (with Strahan and Umenyiora at end) to form a four defensive end pass rush, a scheme defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo employed to pressure opponent quarterbacks.[22][23] On January 18, 2008, Tuck signed a contract extension from the Giants.[24] The five-year, $30 million deal, $16 million of which was guaranteed, included a $9 million signing bonus.[24]

Justin Tuck at the Giants' Super Bowl XLII champions rally

In front of a record-setting American television audience,[25] Tuck played well in Super Bowl XLII. According to Tuck, he New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady [Brady exchanged playful trash talk during especially physical plays.[26] Due to the game's low score, opinions were heavily waged that Tuck was more deserving of the MVP award than quarterback Eli Manning.[27][28]

The Tuck legend has begun.[29]

— Antonio Pierce

On January 17, 2008, Tuck was rewarded with a contract extension with the Giants.[22][24][30] On March 31, 2008, Tuck reported to voluntary off-season conditioning programs administered by the Giants.[31] Prior to the start of Giants mini-camp in May, Tuck and the Giants were invited by President Bush to the White House to honor their victory in Super Bowl XLII.[32] Tuck also took up boxing to improve his hand-eye coordination.[33]

Tuck started his 2008 campaign in Michael Strahan-like fashion by sacking Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell in the first play of the season opener.[34] The Giants went on to defeat their division rivals the Washington Redskins 16–7.[35] Tuck followed his exceptional performance in week one with an outstanding performance against the St. Louis Rams.[36] Tuck finished the game with 2.0 sacks and an interception return for a touchdown in a Giants victory in week two.[36] The interception and touchdown marked the first of Tuck's professional career.[36] The touchdown was his first since his junior season at Notre Dame.[29]

Tuck totaled 66 tackles, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, two passes deflected, and one interception.[37] Tuck's stellar play in the 2008 season earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl as one of the NFC's starting defensive ends.[38] He was also voted All-Pro for the first time in his career.[39]

Tuck and the Giants entered the 2009 season as one of the favorites for the NFC to go the Super Bowl. With the return of teammate Osi Umenyiora, Tuck hoped to see fewer double teams than he did during the end of the 2008 season.

Tuck played very well in the season opener against the Washington Redskins on September 13, 2009. Tuck recorded two tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and a pass deflection, helping the Giants win by a score of 23–17.[40] After the game, Tuck was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.[41] Tuck sustained an injured left shoulder when he was tripped by a Cowboys' lineman Flozell Adams in September, which affected his play for the rest of the 2009 season.[42] He ended the season with 60 tackles, six sacks, six forced fumbles, and eight pass deflections.[43]

Tuck continued to perform at a high level throughout the 2010 season and, along with Osi Umenyiora, proved why New York's pair of defensive ends were among the most feared in the league.

Tuck recorded career highs with 76 total tackles and six forced fumbles. In addition, he finished the season with 11.5 sacks, a half a sack shy of tying his career best 12 sacks from 2008.[44] Tuck's greatest individual efforts came in games against the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles. In Week 4, against Chicago, Tuck accounted for three of the defense's 10 total sacks, and had a forced fumble in a game the Giants won 17–3.[45] In Week 15, against Philadelphia, Tuck had 1.5 sacks in a losing effort to the Eagles.[46]

The Giants finished with a 10–6 record and missed the playoffs after losses to the Eagles, who won the NFC East, as well as the eventual Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers.[47] He was named to the Pro Bowl.[48] Tuck was ranked 60th by his fellow players in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011.[49]

Tuck with the Giants in 2012

Tuck battled injuries in the 2011 season. He started in 11 games. He had 26 tackles and five sacks in the regular season.[50] However, in the postseason he played in all four of the Giants games and had 3.5 sacks, two of which came in Super Bowl XLVI.[51] The Giants went on to win Super Bowl XLVI over the New England Patriots.[52] It was Tuck's second Super Bowl ring in five years. Many believed that Tuck was a primary candidate for Super Bowl MVP because of his performance in the game, but quarterback Eli Manning won the MVP just like in Super Bowl XLII.[53][54] After the game, Tuck joked that Manning "stole my MVP again."[55] Also, Tuck's multi-sack Super Bowl performance made him the first to ever have multiple multi-sack performances in the Super Bowl.[56] He was ranked 62nd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2012.[57]

In the 2012 season, Tuck appeared in 15 games, of which he started 14. He finished with four sacks, 45 total tackles, and one pass defensed.[58]

In Week 13, Tuck earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his game against the Washington Redskins.[59] He had four sacks in the 24–17 victory.[60] In the 2013 season, Tuck appeared in 16 games, of which he started 15. He finished with 11 sacks, 63 total tackles, one interception, three passes defensed, and two forced fumbles.[61]

Tuck with the Oakland Raiders in 2014

On March 13, 2014, Tuck signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the Oakland Raiders.[62] Tuck said he signed the deal because the deal that the New York Giants offered was "disrespectful".[63] Tuck played in 15 games and recorded five sacks, 43 total tackles, one interceptions, three passes defensed, and two forced fumbles in the 2014 season.[64]

On October 15, 2015, Tuck was placed on the team's injured reserve due to a chest injury.[65] He played in five games and recorded one sack, 14 total tackles, and three passes defensed in the 2015 season.[66]

Tuck announced his retirement from professional football on February 1, 2016, after 11 seasons.[67] On May 6, 2016, Tuck signed a one-day contract with New York to retire as a Giant.[68]