New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen is putting all feelings aside on roster-cut Tuesday... including, but not limited to, the feelings of Giants fans. Several camp darlings and preseason favorites have been released, leaving behind nothing but heartbreak as the new-look G-Men head into 2025 with one goal in mind: winning.
One of the more surprising moves was Elijah Chatman getting the boot. And while that decision was confusing and sad on its own, it’s what could have been — not what was — that will have fans up in arms. On Friday, when asked what it was like lining up behind Chatman at fullback, rookie running back Cam Skattebo gave the perfect answer: “I told him, ’let’s go. Let’s take somebody’s head off.’”
Unfortunately, Giants fans may have already seen the last snap of Skattebo and Chatman sharing a backfield. That short-lived, full-throttle duo is already gone, and Schoen honestly owes Big Blue Nation a handwritten apology for taking that away on Sundays.
Cam Skattebo and Elijah Chatman were going to be must-watch TV
Chatman is an undersized defensive lineman (6-foot, 278 pounds), who made his way to New York via SMU as an undrafted free agent in 2024. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) coming out of college was impressive (7.94), but his size was what ultimately dragged that score down.
He placed great in explosion grade and elite in speed grade, with a very poor size grade. Well, you know the saying: "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Undersized and all, Chatman put his athleticism to use and worked his way onto the offense and into the fullback room. His size and athleticism made him a perfect candidate for the open FB position.
Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka put him in the backfield at camp and then gave him back-to-back preseason games, where he actually looked like a massive value-add to the run-blocking group.
However, all good things must come to an end, and after the preseason wrapped up, it was a quick goodbye for the lineman-turned-fullback... even though it felt like the 24-year-old defensive tackle had done enough to earn a spot.
And not only did he look like a natural out there, but every time the big man took the field on offense, it was an instant rush of adrenaline for fans. It was clearly a morale boost for the players. And now it's dead in the water. The thought of Chatman sending Eagles linebackers through the end zone on Sundays is gone. Schoen should be investigated for Deflategate 2.0 after sucking the air out of good-times sails.
So no, Giants fans won't get to witness pure madness this season, after the GM went fun police. Hopefully, this is a case of "It's not goodbye, it's see you later," but after the preseason Chatman put together, he could very well get claimed and not make it to the practice squad. What a bummer.
The real loser here is Skatt, who will now have to take somebody's head off on his own.