Giants Release WR Brandon Marshall

New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman announced the team has released wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The decision came during Gettleman’s pre-draft press conference, saying Marshall was released with a failed physical.

The veteran receiver agreed to take a pay cut for next season, but with the failed medical test, the Giants chose to cut ties, per Kimberley A. Martin of the Washington Post.

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Marshall’s Tenure in Big Blue

The 34-year-old’s release does not come as a shock, as it was an expected move to be made this offseason.

Marshall was injured in the infamous game against the Los Angeles Chargers, where all of New York’s top receivers suffered season-ending injuries. Marshall injured his ankle in that game, ending his year at just five games.

The veteran receiver signed a two-year, $12 million contract last offseason, which created Super Bowl aspirations among the team and fanbase. The dream would never become a reality, as Marshall struggled to get anything going with the Giants. Through his five games, Marshall caught 18 of 33 targets for just 154 yards and zero touchdowns. When watching Giants games early last season, there appeared to be no chemistry between Marshall and quarterback Eli Manning.

What Now?

With Marshall’s release, the Giants save over $5.1 million in cap space and now have over $10 million in cap space. Entering Thursday, the Giants had just $4.9 million in cap space.

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For the Giants, they will no have to address the opening in the wide receiver depth chart.

Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant has been adamant on joining the NFC East, citing he wants to play his former team twice a year. Bryant even stated, “it’d be crazy,” if he were able to join the Giants. Gettleman did not shoot down the possibility in adding the former Cowboy, saying, “we’re interested in everybody.”

Bryant is known for his emotional outbursts on the sidelines, just like Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. It will remain to be seen if they were to coexist, but it is a mere pipe dream. We have yet to take into consideration Bryant’s contract demands. So let’s cool our jets on a potential Bryant-Beckham duo in New York.

The Giants could also take a wide receiver in the draft, as this year’s class is rather deep. The Giants could take one in the middle rounds (as indicated in our latest mock draft).

We will learn more in the coming weeks after the end of the NFL Draft on April 26. As of now, the Marshall era in New York is officially over.