There was always a risk that cornerback James Bradberry could join an NY Giants rival after the team released him, but people were holding out hope it wouldn’t go down. Surely the Raiders, Chiefs or someone in the AFC would present him with an offer he couldn’t refuse this offseason, right? Wrong.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Bradberry has agreed to a one-year deal worth $10 million with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles had long been linked with Bradberry even before the Giants had cut him. Now, the former Pro Bowl defensive back will be making the short drive from East Rutherford, N.J. to Philadelphia for the next chapter of his career.
Sources: Former #Giants Pro Bowl CB James Bradberry has agreed to terms with the #Eagles on a 1-year deal for $10M. A big-time post-draft addition, as Bradberry lands in a perfect spot.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 18, 2022
James Bradberry signing with the Eagles is rough for the NY Giants
General manager Joe Schoen was trying to trade Bradberry before releasing him. Schoen actually had a deal set in place with the Houston Texans in exchange for a late-round pick. However, Bradberry and the Texans couldn’t get on the same page in terms of a new contract, so the trade never went down.
After spending the first four years of his career with the Carolina Panthers, Bradberry signed with the Giants in 2020 and wasted no time showcasing just how great he could be in the division. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder posted 54 total tackles and three interceptions, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl that February.
Last season, Bradberry finished with a career-high four interceptions, while adding 47 tackles. Nobody wanted to see him leave the Giants, but his $21.8 million cap hit was never an option for Schoen and the team to make work. With releasing him, it created more than $10 million in cap space. On Wednesday morning, it was reported by Art Stapleton too that the Giants had signed veteran CB Maurice Canady.
Bradberry is of course the much better player, which is why the Eagles are giving him $10 million to keep on playing at a high level in 2022. Philly fans are already ecstatic at the thought of Bradberry and Darius Slay suiting up together to lead the CB group. Meanwhile for Giants supporters, they’re miserable right now knowing Bradberry will be donning the jersey of such a hated NFC East foe.