Jason Pinnock is steadfast that he’s not just a replacement for the Giants.
He believes he’s bringing something new.
Pinnock has started all three games at strong safety this year, the position at which Julian Love started 16 games for the Giants last season.
They come head-to-head Monday night when the Giants clash with the Seahawks at MetLife Stadium, marking the first time Love will face his old side since leaving this past offseason.
Love, who played his first four seasons with the Giants after being drafted in the fourth round in 2019, signed a two-year, $12 million deal with Seattle this offseason.
“I don’t think I’m filling in a role, I think it’s a new role, I think it’s me,” Pinnock told The Post on Tuesday. “I’m me, my play, my style, that’s me. It’s not Julian Love Jr. or Xavier McKinney Jr. …
“[Love] was great to learn from, but I have an identity as a player as well. That’s me. When he was here, I was extremely receptive, I was a sponge to him because he was the brains of it. That’s probably what I’m more worried about, him knowing every damn thing [about us].”
Love was one of the most popular and respected individuals in the Giants’ locker room.
He was voted a team captain and was entrusted defensive play-calling duties after Xavier McKinney’s injury last year, and was on the field for more snaps (1,006) than any other defensive player on the team.
The Giants made him an offer at the bye week that was well below what he was asking, according to The Post’s Paul Schwartz, and slightly increased it after the season. Their second offer was more than what Love ended up accepting with Seattle.
“Not just a teammate, he’s a good friend of mine,” said McKinney, who has played alongside both Love and Pinnock. “We talk all the time and stay in touch with each other. It’s gonna be fun just going out and competing against him.”
It left a big hole to fill for the unheralded and cheaper Pinnock, now in his second season with the team. A former fifth-round pick, Pinnock was cut by the Jets before the Giants claimed him off waivers.
Just one year removed from the waiver wire, Pinnock was thrust into a starting role this season.
He has a lowly 48.9 grade by Pro Football Focus so far this year. In coverage, he’s been targeted 12 times, allowing a 50 percent completion percentage, 90 yards and no touchdowns.
He does have 23 total tackles and three tackles for loss, though, both of which are second-most on the team.
Love has likewise gotten off to a rough start with the Seahawks.
Through three games, he’s been targeted 27 times and has allowed a 70.4 percent completion percentage, NFL-high 292 yards and one touchdown.
He owns a 51.0 grade by PFF, a far cry from his 70.0 grade last year. He’s added 27 total tackles and no tackles for loss.
“He’s got some plays that he’d like back just like everybody else,” Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said this week. “But all in all, he’s done a terrific job and shown really good versatility.”
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