NY Giants release LB David Mayo in move to create cap space?

The NY Giants are beginning their roster purge.

After just releasing Golden Tate, Ian Rapoport has reported that David Mayo will be released as well.

David Mayo had a forgettable, two-year stint in New York. He spent most of his time as a backup or part-time starting linebacker for the Giants over the past two seasons.

Mayo had signed a 3-year $8.4 million deal with the Giants before the 2020 season. It was a questionable move at the time for a player who hadn’t seemed deserving of that money.

The Giants then went on to sign Blake Martinez and draft Tae Crowder, TJ Brunson, Carter Coughlin, and Cam Brown.

Mayo tore his meniscus just prior to Week One. He spent the first five weeks of the season on IR. From there, Mayo never found his footing in the defense.

With the move, the Giants are set to gain $2.3 million back in cap space as David Mayo’s contract left no guaranteed money after the first season (2020). The Giants will also gain another $2.5 million next season as well. Both sums of money will be better spent elsewhere than reserve linebacker.

Between resigning their own pending free agents, dipping into the open market, and the upcoming draft, the Giants are set to use that money in key areas such as specifically upgrading at receiver and at middle linebacker.

Both position groups need upgrades with the Giants likely also to focus on prioritizing depth at different positions all over the roster.