Eagles steal former Pro Bowl Giants DB

James Bradberry made the Pro Bowl with the New York Giants in 2020, but it made little difference just a few years later, as he was cut and signed with the rival Eagles.

The Giants are all-in on the rebuild, and releasing Bradberry, as well as safety Logan Ryan, should remove any doubt about that. Bradberry did make the Pro Bowl just two years ago, so he instantly became the top cornerback on the free agent market.

New York gained $10.1 million in salary cap space by cutting Bradberry, which explains why they’d let such a talented player hit free agency. What they do with that money, though, will determine whether or not this is the right move.

What’s even more painful for the Giants is the team Bradberry chose to sign with on a one-year prove it deal. The Eagles scooped up the 28-year-old, as he will now face his old team and quarterback Daniel Jones twice in the regular season.

James Bradberry contract

Per Adam Schefter, Bradberry’s contract is for one-year and $10 million. So, essentially it’s equal to the Giants cap savings for cutting him.

The Eagles were willing to pay up for a significant upgrade at the No. 2 cornerback slot. In 2021, Bradberry played in all 17 games with New York, registering four interceptions, 17 pass deflections and 47 tackles.

Eagles steal James Bradberry

Giants general manager Joe Schoen was surprised there wasn’t more trade interest for Bradberry before and after the NFL Draft. He openly admitted as much during a recent interview.

“I thought there would be more interest. There were some teams that showed interest pre-draft, and we had a couple different times there were compensation in place and the contract never worked out. Being the fact that we did have good talks with the other teams and their agents had good talks with teams, sometimes if you’re going to renegotiate a contract and couldn’t come to an agreement, it is what it is,” Schoen said, per WFAN.

However, interested teams knew that if they merely waited the Giants out, they’d eventually release Bradberry. For the Eagles, it offered an opportunity they likely would not have had in trade talks for him — stealing their NFC East rival’s No. 1 corner.