After a long wait, the NFL finally has resolution to an embarrassing and contentious situation. The Panthers have reportedly agreed to trade James Bradberry for third-round pick in 2020.
The “james bradberry” is a linebacker for the Giants who has been suspended for four games. The team is reportedly close to resolving their unforgivable problem.
Highlights of the article:
- In the coming days, the New York Giants are anticipated to make a decision on cornerback James Bradberry’s future.
- For cap reasons, the four-time Super Bowl winners are likely set to part ways with the 2020 Pro Bowl pick.
- Bradberry’s upcoming exit might be attributed to former Giants general manager Dave Gettleman’s poor cap expenditures and roster management.
The New York Giants would be better off building around cornerback James Bradberry in a perfect world. The 2020 Pro Bowl pick will play the whole 2019 season at the age of 29, has outstanding size at 6-foot-1 and 212 pounds, and is likely determined to return after a disappointing 2021 season.
The Giants have one issue: their present predicament is far from ideal, thanks in large part to former general manager Dave Gettleman’s actions.
Rather than constructing a roster around Bradberry and hope he returns to Pro Bowl form in new head coach Brian Daboll’s first season, the Giants must cut ties with the Arkansas State product in order to free up contract money. Unfortunately for Giants fans, the reality of the cornerback’s eventual exit is quickly coming as the new league year approaches.
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The Giants are allegedly close to moving James Bradberry, a former Pro Bowl cornerback.
Where will James Bradberry of the New York Giants play in 2022? | Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Joe Schoen, the new general manager of the Giants, made it known right away that he planned to save the team around $40 million in salary space. To save $7.1 million, he began by releasing running back Devontae Booker and tight end Kyle Booker before the start of the new league year.
What’s the next step? The Giants are likely to make a decision on Bradberry this week, according to The Athletic’s Dan Duggan, in part because they must be under the limit when the new league year begins on March 16. By cutting or moving the 28-year-old, the Giants would save $12.1 million.
According to Duggan, the Giants may cut Bradberry to allow him more time to find a new club before free agency begins. A club would also want to sign the veteran cornerback, who is due a $13.5 million salary in the last year of his deal, to check a box before free agency begins.
Bradberry and the Giants have not publicly indicated which course they planned to follow as of publishing.
The Giants are only in this predicament as a result of Dave Gettleman’s poor roster and cap management.
#Giants CB James Bradberry is expected to draw trade interest, according to @RapSheet
Bradberry is a top player who signed a three-year, $45 million deal in 2020.
Bradberry’s cap hit is $21.9 million. Trading him saves $12 million, and if he is released after June, the New York Giants will earn a $13.5 million profit.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 4, 2022
Every year, most clubs face tough cap choices, and the Giants are no different. What makes the Bradberry issue so upsetting is how easily it might have been avoided if Gettleman had exercised more caution in past offseasons.
The Giants had no reason to sign Rudolph to a two-year, $12 million contract, particularly when his examination showed a pre-existing foot condition that necessitated surgery. Rather than draft or trade for a young, cheap running back, the Giants signed Booker to a two-year, $5.5 million contract. Why not attempt to rehire Alfred Morris on a veteran’s minimum wage?
Last offseason, Gettleman signed receiver Kenny Golladay to a four-year, $72 million deal and cornerback Adoree’ Jackson to a three-year, $39 million contract. Due to injuries, Golladay only had 37 receptions for 521 yards and no touchdowns in 2021. Jackson appeared in 13 games for a Giants team that allowed 24.5 points per game, ranking them 23rd out of 32 teams in the league.
The fact that so many troubles resulted from early draft selections not turning out is maybe the worst element of the Giants’ cap dilemma. In 2018, Gettleman made the mistake of picking Penn State running back Saquon Barkley over Notre Dame offensive tackle Quenton Nelson, who is on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Barkley’s performance has been diminished by injuries, and he is presently on the market.
The verdict on quarterback Daniel Jones, the sixth overall selection in 2019, is still out. He hasn’t lived up to the expectations of a first-round choice, and it’s uncertain if he’ll be extended by the organization in the next two years. Jones’ fifth-year option is anticipated to be picked up by the Giants, which will guarantee his compensation in 2022.
Jones and Barkley will cost a combined $15.5 million against the cap next year, according to Spotrac. Oops.
Which clubs should make an effort to sign Bradberry this offseason?
The good news for Bradberry is that he’s still in his twenties, which means he may potentially earn one more big paycheck. In free agency, he’s unlikely to get anything close to four years and $48 million, but don’t rule out the possibility of him earning $8 million a year on his next contract.
What’s the bad news? Bradberry is coming off a shaky 2021 season and is approaching 30 years old, which is often the start of the end for defensive backs.
Nonetheless, Bradberry’s talents should be sought by a number of clubs. The New York Jets, who play across town, have cap space and a need for another cornerback. The disadvantage is that Bradberry would be exchanging one inept franchise for another, with the difference being that the latter has more money.
The Bengals, who are coming off a Super Bowl participation, have cap room as well. Bradberry would be joining a club that is projected to make another deep playoff run next year, even if he would have to settle for significantly less money than he might earn elsewhere.
Football fans should also keep an eye on the Las Vegas Raiders, owing to the fact that former Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham now works for the Raiders. Last season, the Silver and Black made the playoffs, and they’ll do all they can in 2022 to make it two years in a row.
At the very least, Bradberry seems to be on his way to a victory. The Giants, on the other hand, may rest easy knowing that Gettleman is no longer a threat.
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