When the New York Giants hired Joe Shoen to be their next general manager, everyone, including Shoen, knew there was plenty of work to be done on the salary cap to make it somewhat manageable again.
In fact, it was in Schoen’s first few days that he made it clear just how much salary cap the Giants are hoping to shed.
Recently, Bleacher Report’s Joe Tansey listed three players the Giants “must consider” cutting this offseason: wide receiver Sterling Shepard, tight end Kyle Rudolph, and cornerback James Bradberry.
The most likely cut may just be Shepard, who tore his Achilles at the end of this past season and has been hit hard with the injury bug during his career.
With the Giants investing a first-round pick in Kadarius Toney and a heavy contract in Kenny Golladay, the Giants could easily afford to cut ties with Shepard, especially since he will probably miss a good portion of the 2022 season as he is recovering from injury.
Rudolph showed up at times for Big Blue during last season but is clearly not the player he once was. Even with Evan Engram set to become a free agent, the Giants might be better off parting ways with both Rudolph and Engram and finding a well-rounded tight end on the cheap for next season.
Finally, Bradberry made the list just one season removed from a Pro Bowl campaign. Unfortunately, Bradberry regressed a little this past season, along with the rest of the Giants’ defense.
There is no doubt that Bradberry can play, but with the Giants rebuilding for now and in desperate need of clear cap, it could make sense to part ways with Bradberry’s salary.
The Giants will have a lot to do to correct the salary cap hell that Dave Gettleman left them in, but hopefully the new coaching staff and general manager have a plan already formulated to get the cap down as efficiently as possible.
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