The New York Giants are in with one former Pittsburgh Steelers starter and out with another, cutting veteran receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and signing running back Najee Harris on Tuesday.
The Giants signed the 29-year-old Smith-Schuster on June 1, the same day they added Braxton Berrios and three-time Pro Bowler Odell Beckham Jr. An offseason rash of injuries required the additional bodies, and Smith-Schuster failed to take advantage.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter was among those who initially reported the Smith-Schuster and Harris moves.
Concerns began mounting about Smith-Schuster early during OTAs, when a clip of him looking slow and dropping an easy catch went viral on social media. The early reports from training camp, however, lacked similar stories or updates.
Smith-Schuster did not have a ball thrown his way in last Saturday's 13-10 loss to the Vikings. Beckham recorded two catches, while Berrios had a nine-yard reception and returned two punts for 30 yards.
Beckham and Berrios remained on the Giants’ roster as of Tuesday afternoon, and both are expected to play against the Dolphins on Saturday afternoon.
What is next for former New York Giants receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster?
Theoretically speaking, Smith-Schuster might not be done in New York just yet, though. The NFL’s modernized practice squad rules would allow them to keep him around as an additional receiver, although he is obviously free to sign elsewhere.
A 2017 second-round pick, Smith-Schuster has 481 catches for 5,625 yards and 33 touchdowns. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2018, snagging 111 receptions for 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns. However, a severe shoulder injury cost him most of the 2021 season, and he subsequently signed with the Chiefs.
Although he had a 78-catch, 933-yard season in 2022, that appeared to be the end of his peak. He hasn’t surpassed 35 catches or 350 yards in either of the last three years, and he likely profiles as a bench receiver moving forward.
As for Beckham and Berrios, the latter reportedly has a strong chance of surviving final cuts because of his special teams value. Beckham is neither a returner nor a special teams contributor, and he is a 33-year-old who last played in December 2024.
Malik Nabers has fully returned to practice, and rookie Malachi Fields caught a touchdown from Jaxson Dart last Saturday. The trio of Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney, and Calvin Austin III should join Nabers and Fields on the Week 1 roster. It is unclear whether the Giants would carry seven receivers, with Berrios primarily seeing the field as a returner or emergency offensive option.
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