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    Giants Trade Rumors: James Bradberry Not Expected to Be Pursued by Chiefs

    Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIApril 5, 2022

    New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the New York Giants 21-6. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
    AP Photo/Steve Luciano

    The Kansas City Chiefs have reportedly been involved in trade talks for New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry, but Jeffri Chadiha of NFL.com reported Tuesday that the defending AFC West champions are not in the mix right now.

    Jeffri Chadiha @jeffrichadiha

    The talk about the <a href="https://twitter.com/Chiefs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Chiefs</a> looking to trade for <a href="https://twitter.com/Giants?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Giants</a> CB James Bradberry isn’t serious. A <a href="https://twitter.com/Chiefs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Chiefs</a> source says the team hasn’t been involved with that and don’t plan on getting involved. They don’t want to take on Bradberry’s $13.4 million salary.

    Pro Football Network's Aaron Wilson reported March 26 that the Chiefs were interested in Bradberry, a six-year NFL veteran who has spent his last two years in New York. He added three days later that the Chiefs and Giants were "actively discussing" a deal.

    Bradberry has played in the NFL since 2016. He spent his first four seasons with the Carolina Panthers before signing a three-year deal with the Giants in 2020.

    The Giants are reportedly looking to trade Bradberry to alleviate their salary-cap situation. According to ESPN's Field Yates, they were the only team with less than $1 million in cap space on March 31. 

    Jordan Raanan @JordanRaanan

    This is why James Bradberry is VERY unlikely to be on the Giants roster after the draft. They need money to operate and would prefer not moving money into future years. Joe Schoen has called it a “last resort.” <a href="https://t.co/Tu5Xn5EhKs">https://t.co/Tu5Xn5EhKs</a>

    Bradberry has a cap hit of $21.9 million in 2022, per Over the Cap. 

    Giants Trade Rumors: James Bradberry Not Expected to Be Pursued by Chiefs
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    Pro Football Focus rated Bradberry among its top 50 players at any position heading into the 2021 campaign, but he allowed a 93.0 passer rating in coverage (versus 81.2 in 2020), per Pro Football Reference.

    SNY's Ralph Vacchiano broke down one obstacle in finding a trade partner:

    Ralph Vacchiano @RVacchianoSNY

    Finding takers for James Bradberry's salary has always been the issue, which is why the Giants are willing to eat some of it if they can get a decent pick in return.<br><br>They almost certainly have to find a trade partner at some point -- another factor not working in their favor. <a href="https://t.co/J0OxIMIJL0">https://t.co/J0OxIMIJL0</a>

    The Giants did create nearly $6 million in cap room by restructuring cornerback Adoree' Jackson's contract, but a Bradberry trade appears to be one of the next priorities on the agenda for the rebuilding Giants, who haven't made the playoffs in five years.