NY Giants can’t afford James Bradberry

Veteran cornerback James Bradberry has been released by the New York Giants after failing to find a trade partner for him this off season.

Giants general manager Joe Schoen said that Bradberry is “a starting corner in the league. It’s just where we are financially.” Since his former defensive coordinator Patrick Graham was hired by the Raiders in February, there have been strong hints that the corner might make the move to Las Vegas. The Pro Bowler has also had interest from the Texans and Bengals but nothing has materialized so far.

The Giants have been trying to lower their salary cap number, and the $21.86 million that he carries into 2022 would have left New York north of $7 million over the cap after signing its newest draft picks. The trouble seems to be that the Raiders don’t have very much room in their cap either, but are expecting some cap relief after June 1st.

After starting off in Carolina, Bradberry signed with New York in 2020. He proved himself a top-tier defender, heading to the Pro Bowl that season. This elite performance continued in 2021, and Bradberry became one of the best corners in the league. In two seasons in New York, he compiled 100 tackles, of which 80 were solo, 35 passes defended, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

There was reportedly lots of interest in him, but this is at the end of the day a business, and the Giants financial woes were no secret. Although they fought hard to hang on to him, it was common knowledge that if there were no takers, then the Giants would have no choice but to cut him.

With his talent and pedigree, it won’t be long before he is picked up by someone, the only question now is who.