Eli Manning just lost a 6-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro wide receiver
The New York Giants have opted to release wide receiver Brandon Marshall after he failed a physical, general manager Dave Gettleman said Thursday.
Marshall signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Giants last offseason. But he was ineffective in 2017, catching just 18 passes for 154 yards in five games before missing the rest of the season with an ankle injury.
By cutting Marshall, the Giants will save $5.1 million in cap space, according to the New York Post.
The move comes amid speculation that the Giants could be interested in signing former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, who was released by Dallas last week.
As The Wildcard told readers on Tuesday, Bryant has expressed interest in coming to play for New York. When 247 Sports‘ Mike Fisher asked him about that possibility, Bryant indicated that it would be “crazy” to play with quarterback Eli Manning and company.
“The Giants,” he said, “got a helluva defense, they’re going to pay OBJ (fellow wideout and pal Odell Beckham Jr.), so coming back. Playing with him, Sterling (Shepard) … the tight end (Evan Engram), (QB Eli) Manning? Crazy.”
Somewhat ironically, Marshall responded to Bryant’s comments by posting on his Instagram story, “Sorry baby bro, no room. @dezbryant.”
It would appear, however, that it’s Marshall who the Giants didn’t have any room for.
It’s unclear what the next step will be for the six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro.
Against all odds, Marshall had a career year with the New York Jets in 2015, reeling in 109 receptions for 1,502 yards and a career-high 14 touchdowns. But since then, he’s struggled. Marshall had less than 800 yards in 2016, and 2017 was easily the worst season of his career.
Still, he indicated late last season that he does not intend to retire.
“I’m all in on football,” Marshall said. “I’ve rebuilt my body. I think I’m two great years away from, and I’ll say it, I want to be a Hall of Famer and I think I got two great years to go to be mentioned with some of the greats.”
The Giants, meanwhile, could look to add another wideout to bolster a receiving corps that already includes Beckham and Shepard.
According to Gettleman, the Giants are “interested in everybody.”
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