NY Giants release longest-tenured player Darius Slayton

The New York Giants have released wide receiver Darius Slayton, ending his seven-year stint as the longest-tenured player on the roster. The 29-year-old receiver became an unrestricted free agent following the move, which frees up salary capacity ahead of the upcoming National Football League season.

Crowded Receiver Roster

Slayton saw his standing on the depth chart diminish during offseason workouts under new head coach John Harbaugh after undergoing core muscle surgery in the spring. Although Slayton started offseason preparations well, he struggled to establish himself in the team’s new offensive scheme.

New York bolstered its receiving corps during the offseason by signing free agent Darnell Mooney and adding veteran Odell Beckham Jr. The team also expects wide receiver Malik Nabers to return for the season opener following a knee injury sustained last year, while rookie Malachi Fields impressed coaching staff in training camp. Harbaugh noted that Beckham is scheduled to feature in sub packages and join the primary rotation, leaving Slayton without a guaranteed role.

Financial Impact and Trade Attempts

Prior to last season, New York signed Slayton to a three-year contract worth $36 million. He was due $13 million for the upcoming season, and his release creates slightly more than $3 million in salary cap savings for the franchise.

According to sources cited by ESPN, New York explored trade options for Slayton during final roster cutdowns. However, his contract figure made a transaction difficult to complete. As a vested veteran, Slayton is not subject to the NFL waiver process and is free to sign directly with any team.

Speaking about his situation last week, Slayton said, “At the end of the day, you control what you can control.” Following his release, he posted a message on social media stating he had “nothing but love” for the organization.

Seven Seasons with New York

Slayton joined the Giants as a fifth-round selection in the 2018 draft out of Auburn. Over seven seasons in New York, he recorded 296 receptions, 4,435 receiving yards, and 22 touchdowns. He achieved at least 500 receiving yards in six different seasons and finished as the team’s leading receiver four times, in 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023.

His tenure included both highlights and periods of difficulty. After recording 740 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in his debut season, Slayton temporarily lost his starting place in 2022 under former head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen before earning back a prominent role. Since entering the league in 2019, Slayton recorded 26 dropped passes, tied for the 12th-highest total among wide receivers in that span.

Background

Darius Slayton was selected by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 2018 draft, coming into the league alongside first-round selection Daniel Jones. Across seven seasons, Slayton provided downfield receiving depth through multiple coaching changes and front-office transitions, frequently finishing as the team’s primary statistical target in the passing game.