After choosing to not take a pay cut, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is being released by the New York Giants after four seasons with Big Blue.
So long Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the New York Giants informed Rodgers-Cromartie on Sunday morning that they were releasing him.
Giants informed CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie that he is being released, per @JordanRaanan and me. Giants will save $6.5 million by releasing him.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2018
As Schefter notes, the move will save the Giants $6.5 million.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Saturday night that the Giants asked Rodgers-Cromartie to take a pay cut.
Giants have asked CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to take a significant pay cut from the $6.5m he’s due in 2018, sources say. No final decisions made either way but DRC and the team are far apart at this point.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 10, 2018
It’s been a crazy week for Rodgers-Cromartie.
It was mentioned earlier this week, by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, that the Giants were in the process of moving Rodgers-Cromartie from cornerback to free safety, because of a new defensive coordinator James Bettcher’s defensive scheme.
With a new coaching staff and some new schemes, the #Giants are moving pieces around: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is moving to safety, I’m told. He’ll compete with starter Darian Thompson.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 3, 2018
Rodgers-Cromartie’s release comes on the heels of the Giants cutting punter Brad Wing on Saturday, which saved Big Blue $1.025 million in cap space.
The recent cuts by the Giants could be due to the acquisition of linebacker Alec Ogletree this week. Ogletree brings with him a $10 million cap hit this season.
With work still to be done improving the roster, this move frees up additional cash for the team to go after free agent guard Andrew Norwell, who the Giants have not been shy about pursuing, according to multiple reports.
Rodgers-Cromartie signed a five-year deal worth up to $35 million with the Giants in 2014.
In his four seasons with the Giants, DRC recorded 160 tackles, 11 interceptions, 47 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks and a touchdown.
He made the Pro Bowl in 2015 and was named Second-Team All-Pro in 2016.
Without Rodgers-Cromartie, the Giants have 10 defensive backs under contract:
- Andrew Adam
- Eli Apple
- Landon Collins
- Donte Deayon
- Brandon Dixon
- Janoris Jenkins
- Jeremiah McKinnon
- Ryan Murphy
- Tim Scott
- Darian Thompson
It wouldn’t at all be shocking if Big Blue selected at least one more defensive back in the upcoming 2018 NFL Draft.
Follow Steven Bassin on Twitter @SBassin_Sports