The New York Giants became the laughingstock of the league the moment they let superstar Saquon Barkley walk in free agency.
Regardless of whether they believed in his value, the fact that they allowed him to walk without getting any compensation could very well define Joe Schoen’s tenure as general manager.
In replacing Barkley, the Giants signed Devin Singletary to a three-year deal and drafted Tyrone Tracy Jr. in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
When looking at the best available free agents this offseason, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell included players who could be potential salary-cap casualties and cut candidates.
In a tier of free agents titled “backups likely to net guaranteed money,” Singletary was among the group of potential cut candidates.
“Singletary began the season as the starter in New York before ceding the lead role to Tyrone Tracy Jr.; fumbles have been a consistent problem, but he can catch the football and did solid work in a full-time role with the Texans in 2023,” Barnwell wrote.
Tracy emerged as a strong playmaker for the Giants once he was given the reins in the backfield. He and fellow rookie sensation Malik Nabers became the third pair of rookies in NFL history – and second since the 1970 merger – to each have at least 1,000 scrimmage yards. It was the first time in Giants history and the first time since 2006.
Though Singletary lost the starting role to the electric rookie, it wouldn’t make much sense for the Giants to simply cut ties with the veteran running back this offseason. Doing so would incur a $6 million dead-cap hit for the 2025 season, per Spotrac.
Instead, it’s likely the Giants will wait until after the 2025 season to make that move, which would incur just a $1.25 million dead-cap hit.
The Giants have a lot of needs on the offensive side of the ball, but it would be a mild surprise if New York outright cut Singletary before the season.
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