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NY Giants release WR Golden Tate | How much cap space did they create?

By Matt Lombardo

New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate (15) walks off the field after a 25-23 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford.Nyg Vs Tb
New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate (15) walks off the field after a 25-23 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford.Nyg Vs Tb /
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The NY Giants have released veteran wide receiver Golden Tate, in a move to create cap space ahead of NFL free agency beginning, sources confirm to GMenHQ.

Tate never lived up to his contract, signed back in 2019, and by releasing him Wednesday, the NY Giants created $6.14 million in new cap space in 2021, while absorbing a $4.7 million dead-money hit.

Prior to being released, Tate was set to make $8.5 million in 2021.

In a pair of disappointing seasons with the Giants, Tate caught 84 passes for 1,064 yards and eight touchdowns. Tate was two years into a four-year contract at the time of his release.

Last season, Tate dropped a pair of passes, and averaged just 2.3 yards after the catch per reception, according to Pro Football Focus.

Tate was also benched for a game against the Washington Football Team, after screaming “Throw me the ball” into an ESPN camera after catching a touchdown late in a Monday Night Football loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that was followed by a disparaging post on social media from Tate’s wife.

Originally signed to a four-year contract in the days following the NY Giants’ trade of Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns, Tate’s pact included $23 million fully guaranteed.

Tate’s NY Giants career got off to a rocky start, when he was forced to serve a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s Performance Enhancing Drug policy to open the 2019 season.

In addition to the cap space created in 2021, the NY Giants now have approximately $6 million in additional cap space in 2021.

Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.

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