The New York Giants have one of the youngest cores in the NFL, with second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo running the offense alongside 2024 first-round pick Malik Nabers, while elite young pass rushers like Arvell Reese, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux headline the defense next to All-Pro Brian Burns. But the Giants shockingly just waived their longest-tenured player and a steady presence in New York for the past seven years: wide receiver Darius Slayton. The Giants released Slayton on Monday, less than a week before their season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on "Sunday Night Football." Slayton is 29 years old and no longer the focal point he once was, but he was still productive last season, hauling in 37 catches for 538 yards and a touchdown, averaging 14.5 yards per catch — ranking second on the team in receiving yards.
More news: Browns Fans Fuming Over Todd Monken’s Latest Deshaun Watson Announcement Fans were quick to take to social media to react to the news. "Damn, that’s actually a shocker," one user wrote. "Why right before the season?
He could have had time to find a team," another added. "Couldn’t have gotten some value out of him?" another replied. "Wow, didn’t see that coming 😭 Giants really said it’s time to move on," another fan wrote.
"Cutting ur second-best receiver😭✌️," one other commented. "He was way too overhated, hell of a career for a 5th-round pick," another added. "He got a lot of hate but was one of the more reliable receivers over a tough tenure while he was here," another replied.
More news: Dak Prescott Loses Top Protector Days Before Cowboys Season Opener More news: Puka Nacua Gets Major Suspension Update Ahead of Rams Season Opener Over his seven seasons in New York, Slayton totaled 4,435 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns on 296 catches, ranking 12th in franchise history in receiving yards and 14th in receptions. On the flip side, his production had tailed off in recent years, and he struggled with drops at times. This offseason also brought a crowded receiver room: Nabers is back healthy, the Giants added Darnell Mooney and drafted Malachi Fields in the third round, and Odell Beckham Jr. made the roster as well.
Still, nobody saw this coming, especially this close to the season. But several teams around the league could use more depth at receiver, so it's unlikely Slayton remains a free agent for long. The Raiders, Bengals, and Panthers are a few teams that instantly come to mind, but as a Georgia native, the Falcons could be in play too.
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