James Bradberry‘s time with the Giants has finally come to an end. The team announced on Monday that they have released the veteran corner. 
It was reported last week that a release was inevitable in this case. From the beginning of the offseason, Bradberry, 28, was named as a cut candidate, owing to his scheduled cap hit of over $21.8MM. New general manager Joe Schoen made a number of cost-cutting moves throughout March, but held on to Bradberry in the hopes of finding a trade partner.
For a time, it was believed the former second-round pick was drawing trade interest, as teams with sufficient cap space would presumably be willing to acquire him via that route. However, Schoen recently admitted that he was surprised at how cool the market was for the Pro Bowler.
“I thought there would be more interest” he said on WFAN Sports Radio, via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. “There were some teams that showed interest pre-draft, and we had a couple different times [where] there [was] compensation in place and the contract never worked out.”
Bradberry has only missed five games during his six-year career, which began with the Panthers. In 2021, his second campaign with the Giants, he played in all 17 contests, totalling 47 tackles, a career-high four interceptions and 17 passes defensed. By releasing him, the Giants will leave over $11.7MM on the books in dead money, but gain over $10.1MM in much-needed cap space.
“It’s just where we are financially” Schoen added. “We still got to sign our draft picks, be able to sign our practice squad and have replacement costs for during the season.”
Now, Bradberry will hit the open market as arguably the top free agent available at any position. Given his age, production and, now, the lack of his previous contract as an impediment, he should have plenty of suitors amongst teams seeking starting-caliber help in the secondary.
Brandon Beane on line 1
Right? Come back to the same defense you were drafted into, the one that made you a star.
Giants pulled the same move in 2020 as they did in 2016: loaded up on expensive defensive contracts, dramatically improved the defense for one year, and then watched the improvement go away while they’re still stuck paying the tab. The problem isn’t that any of the players are terrible.
That 2016 season culminated with the Boat Trip followed by a blowout in the playoffs at Green Bay. 2020 would’ve seen the Giants win the NFC East with a 6-10 record … until the Eagles laid down and died in their final game.
Going to the raider
Eagles please
Eagles better be on the phone with his agent already!
If the Eagles are serious about contending this year, then they need to go get this guy.
When did they get a QB?
2020 draft
Back to playing with Ron Rivera
The always aggressive Eagles will likely be in on him.
Well, so much for the Giants being able to acquire Deebo now.. /:
Now, I guess they’ll probably have to get him with Toney alone and maybe just add a draft pick valued similar to Bradberry’s former value..
So, what, now it’ll have to be Toney and a 7th Rounder for Deebo…lmao…
These trade proposals on here kill me sometimes..Idk how fans always think they can trade away their team’s spare parts and trash for another team’s gold…I’ll never understand it..
Yeah, I thought of that one too.
Make that “Sterling Shepard plus a draft pick for Samuel”. Gotta get rid of all remaining ties to the Boat Trip.
Conversely, there are people who think Toney can be had for a sixth rounder, or that the Giants should trade him for Baker Mayfield, who makes no sense whatsoever for the Giants.
This is the quintessential case of no one wants to trade for him when you’d be helping the Giants get rid of a bad contract, but watch how many suitors line up for him now that he’s a free agent.
I would imagine that at least 10 teams pursue Bradberry, but that in the end he doesn’t leave the NFC East. All 3 division rivals can make a good case for needing him.
With that said, I think a lot of people are dramatically overestimating how much this May 9th release is going to move the needle for their team.
He can definitely add depth to a team that’s close. Not to mention, give him a chance to win a ring if he isn’t hoping for another big payday.
LOL…”if he isn’t hoping for another big payday”…….LOL….its always about the money.
His play last year was spotty at best and getting a chance for a ring has very little to do with a modern day athlete who believes he is vastly underpaid….rings don’t get you the bling…only big paydays!
Man, you sure love complaining about things you’ve chosen to imagine are true.
Shouldn’t last too long.
The Giants continue to make the moves that have to be made. I’m not sleeping outside the stadium to be first in line for 2022 playoff tickets, but so far the new regime is taking steps to rebuild the team properly after being hamstrung by the Gettleman disaster.
Surely Bradberry will have suitors, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him remain in the division. He was excellent in 2020 but he really dropped off in 2021 (see dramatic increase in QBR when targeted).
The Eagles signed Bradberry this morning (May 18) to a $10 million, one year contract.
He’ll go great with Slay on the other side and Maddox.
Fly Eagles Fly and way to go Howie!