The New York Giants are releasing veteran cornerback James Bradberry, according to multiple reports on Monday afternoon.
The move comes after new general manager Joe Schoen was unable to find a trade partner for the 28-year-old. Releasing him creates $10.1 million in cap space for the Giants while leaving $11.7 million in dead money.
Bradberry lived up to the high expectations placed upon him after signing with New York prior to the 2020 season following a four-year stint with the Carolina Panthers.
In 32 games with the Giants, he recorded seven interceptions, including four in 2021, along with 35 passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
But financial constraints have forced the Giants to move on from Bradberry’s big contract, which owed him $13.4 million in 2022. Schoen himself all but confirmed that the cornerback would be let go last week when on WFAN’s Carton & Roberts.
“We’re working through that right now,” Schoen said on WFAN’s Carton & Roberts. “His agents have been great, we’ve been in constant communication, I’ve talked to James, it’s been very professional throughout the whole process, and we should have some resolution, hopefully, by the end of the week.
“It’s unfortunate because he’s a great kid,” Schoen said. “I’ve always spoken very highly of the kid. Listen, he’s a starting corner in the league. It’s just, where we are financially, we still have to sign our draft picks, we have to be able to sign our practice squad, and then have replacement costs early in the season.”
Before releasing him, New York had approximately $5.5 million in cap space. That figure will triple now that Bradberry is off the books.
