Should the Giants release James Bradberry?

Should the Giants release James Bradberry?

The decision to trade James Bradberry isn't an easy one. The dilemma is do you give up a really good football player who is a top CB in the league or unload him to free up salary cap space. The Giants can save $11-12 million if they cut him but also are giving up a very good player who can help them compete for a playoff spot in 2022. Many fans would argue to cut him but I don't necessarily share that opinion because A Jackson and he are a very dynamic duo. Many people underestimate Bradberry's man coverage skills and whether he will be a good fit in Wink's defense. I disagree and think he would be a tremendous asset. He can cover. Having 2 excellent CB in the NFL is a commodity.

Now if the Giants don't go the trade route, they could free up some money in other ways. But, it would restructure certain contracts. Most GM's who take over don't like to do that so they can make a real splash year 2. Look at Joe Douglas in NY, for example.  

There are some easy solutions for the Giants to free up some money. Go out and take the NFC Least as it is right now a winnable division. Do the Giants raise the bar, expect to be in the playoffs and put a great team together. They are going in that direction as they have added a right tackle in Neal and some interior depth on the offensive line that was their weakest position in 2022. Max Garcia, Feliciano and Glowinski give them a major upgrade on the interior. 

But back to the cap and  3 easy ways is to restructure current salaries and use that money to sign quality football players. They can follow the Rams model and do it with voidable deals.

The Giants have enough money right now to pay their draft picks but not enough cap space to be players in the Free agent market. The NFC East is so bad right now, the Giants can make a few moves and be really solid over night.

#1 Restructure Leonard Williams

 

Leonard Williams cap hit is 27 million this year and 26 million next year. Restructuring him and his 19 million and 18 million could be done with a possible 3 year deal. Below has some possible solutions.

His current salary:

2021 salary.    7.5 signing bonus 19 million base

2022 salary     7.5 signing bonus 18 million base

If they gave him a 3 year deal with an 18 million signing bonus and 1 million base salary for 2021 

2022 18 million base

2023 18 million base

2022 CAP SAVINGS 12 MILLION. That's a pretty big savings!

#2 Restructure James Bradberry

2022  salary Bradberry has a 3 million dollar bonus and is owed roughly 11 million. The 11 million could be  restructured.

Lets say you give him a 2 year deal for 24 million with a 10 million signing bonus

2022 signing bonus 5 mil base salary 2 mil

2023 signing bonus 5 mil base salary 12 mil

Cap Savings 4 million dollars in 2022.

Is james Bradberry a player you want back.

#3 Restructure Barkley to really get him off the books after 2022

2022 Cap hit $7million dollars

Give him a 3 year deal  for 21 million with a 6 mil bonus and 1 million base salary with the intent of getting him off the books.

2022 2 mil signing bonus. 1 mil salary

2023 2 mil signing bonus. 7 mil base

2024  2 mil signing bonus 7 mil base

Give him the option to opt out after the 2022 season. 

2022 Cap savings 4 million dollars. You would have a 2023 and 2024 cap hit of $2 million per year and can still cut him after the year.

GM Joe Schoen has done an excellent job up until this point. But, these 3 moves would save the NY Giants up to 20 million dollars and allow them to go out and get 3-5 players in still a somewhat strong free agency class. Imagine how great the team would be with these moves and being aggressive at this time.