Brandon Marshall’s first season with the New York Giants ended prematurely due to injury. With Big Blue potentially looking to rebuild in 2018, is he still a part of their plans?
When the New York Giants signed six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall last offseason, it seemed like a perfect fit. Marshall would provide a tall and physical receiver that Eli Manning hadn’t had since Plaxico Burress, and the Giants would provide Marshall with the opportunity to reach the postseason for the first time in his 12-year career.
As we know the 2017 season was a complete disaster. The Giants went 3-13 and Marshall required season-ending ankle surgery following the Giants 27-22 loss to the Chargers in Week 5.
Prior to his injury, Marshall struggled mightily, catching just 18 passes for 154 yards and no touchdowns.
He never developed a rapport with Manning and had several key drops that could have changed momentum in games.
When Marshall signed his two-year contract with the Giants, he stated that he intended to retire following the 2018 season. After the disappointment of last season, you have to wonder if the Giants and new head coach Pat Shurmur have him in their plans for the upcoming season.
Marshall turns 34 in November and has a cap number next year of $6.5 million, but that money is not guaranteed. If the Giants were to release him, they would incur just $1 million in dead cap space while freeing up $5.5 million.
Having an additional $5.5 million dollars would help the Giants in their attempt to rebuild their offensive line, which Shurmur and GM Dave Gettleman have stated is their top priority.
Despite his age and disappointment of last season, Marshall can still be a productive receiver. But he would clearly be the Giants fourth receiving option behind Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, and rookie sensation Evan Engram, a tight end in your programs but a wide receiver in every possible way.
Plus, the Giants have Roger Lewis Jr. who filled in admirably when Marshall and OBJ went down for the season and finished the year with 36 catches for 416 yards and two touchdowns.
Lewis’ salary for 2018 is $630,000, according to Spotrac, and considering he’s only 24 years old, it makes both economic and long-term sense to have Lewis as the team’s fourth receiving option rather than Marshall.
Last week Marshall said he wants to win Comeback Player of the Year. You have to wonder if he’ll do that in a Giants uniform.
Expect Marshall to meet with Pat Shurmur and Dave Gettleman in the near future to see if he fits in their plans.
