Thanks to NFL teams trimming their rosters to 53 yesterday nine former Badgers were released and will now seek another NFL job or a spot on a practice squad.
Among those players was now-former New York Giants linebacker Ryan Connelly.
Big surprise on the Giants cut list: LB Ryan Connelly, who was trying to work his way back from a torn ACL.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) September 5, 2020
And I ask this: Why?
After joining the team as a fifth round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Connelly did nothing but impress during his time on the field.
He finished his rookie season having appeared in four games with three of them starts and recorded two interceptions, two passes defended, one sack, 20 tackles and one quarterback hit.
By all accounts he was emerging as a starting linebacker for the team and seen as a true diamond in the rough after coming in as just a fifth-rounder.
Unfortunately, as Badger fans may know, the linebacker tore his ACL during the Giants’ Week 4 contest and missed the remainder of the season.
There has been chatter in New York that Connelly was coming along slow in his ACL rehab. I still don’t quite understand, though, cutting a second year player that isn’t giving the team any financial stress and showed that he can be a starter–and a productive one at that–in the NFL.
Even if he was coming along slow, wouldn’t it be worth it to place him on the PUP list or injured reserve? Cheap production is the name of the game in the NFL and also perfectly defines Connelly going into this season.
I just don’t understand the move. I don’t.
The former Badger will no doubt find another home in the NFL when the ACL rehab is finished and will likely have a productive career.
I guess now it just won’t be with the New York Giants.