Giants Release Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to Save $6.5M in Cap Space

The New York Giants announced Sunday the release of cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in order to shave $6.5 million off their books, as first reported by Adam Schefter and Jordan Raanan of ESPN.

On Saturday, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reported the Giants had asked Rodgers-Cromartie to take a significant pay cut to remain with the team, adding that the sides were far apart on any agreement. They apparently were far enough apart that the Giants decided to release the 10-year veteran.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com added that Rodgers-Cromartie wants to play as an outside cornerback again after the Giants reportedly told him they wanted to move him to safety in 2018. The Giants tinkered with him at free safety at times in 2017, and Rodgers-Cromartie seemed willing to make the move.

"Hey baby, you can put me anywhere as long as I play and get on that field a little bit, I don't mind," he said in January, per Dan Duggan of NJ Advance Media. "Free safety, strong safety, linebacker—it doesn't matter. I'm just trying to be out there."

Rodgers-Cromartie, 31, accumulated 48 tackles in 15 games for the Giants in 2017, failing to register an interception. Pro Football Focus gave him a 77.2 grade for the season, 58th in the NFL among cornerbacks.

While Rodgers-Cromartie remains a solid option at corner, his release was almost certainly about money and potentially about team culture as well.

As Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News noted, "Rodgers-Cromartie was the first of three Giants defensive backs ultimately suspended during the season, including Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple, and new Giants general manager Dave Gettleman is determined to restore a healthy culture."

The Giants suspended him for one game in October for a violation of team rules amid a number of heated arguments with former head coach Ben McAdoo.