Joe Schoen’s latest quote shows James Bradberry is as good as gone

NY Giants fans everywhere are waiting to see what exactly is going to happen with standout cornerback James Bradberry. The stud defensive back followed his 2020 Pro Bowl campaign with a strong 2021, earning him an even bigger cheering section.

However, his contract has given general manager Joe Schoen headaches of late and all signs are pointing to the team either trying to somehow trade the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder, or release him. With the latter being the most likely call, this is something people all over New York and New Jersey are starting to brace themselves for, especially following Schoen’s  recent press conference.

Releasing James Bradberry would free up $10 million in cap space for NY Giants

“We are going to work on that,” Schoen said in his presser on figuring things out with Bradberry via Pro Football Talk. “We have had some conversations. I’ve talked to his representative. We’ll see where that goes. I don’t have a definitive answer on that right now, but we are working towards some contingency plans.

“I’m not going to put a timeline on it as we are working through this. So I don’t know how long it will take, but we are working through some things.”

From the sound of things from Schoen, he really makes it sound like the Giants are getting ready for life after Bradberry. There’s no denying he’s a stud cornerback and a true playmaker for the NFC East side. Unfortunately, New York still has to ink deals with its draft picks – including first-rounders Evan Neal and Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Should the Giants release Bradberry, it’d free up right around $10.1 million in cap space – he has a hit of $21.86 million for 2022. That’s a big chunk of change for Schoen and the front office. Would Bradberry consider restructuring his deal to stay in East Rutherford? You can’t rule that out, but he also knows just how valuable he is for a defense.

Last season, Bradberry posted 47 tackles and a career-high four interceptions. The year before, he earned Pro Bowl honors after recording three picks and 54 tackles. If he does become a free agent, there’d be several teams who wouldn’t think twice in trying to sign him.

While Schoen said he doesn’t have a deadline to finalize things with Bradberry, the sooner he can figure this all out, the better. Giants supporters will be sitting on pins and needles to see what happens, but the feeling among the fanbase is that Bradberry may have played his last down for the organization.