New York Giants cut Pro Bowl free agent addition before he even has a chance to play a single snap for John Harbaugh
The New York Giants cut Pro Bowl wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Tuesday after signing him back in June.
We are constantly reminded of how hardly anything in the NFL is guaranteed and we received yet another reminder after learning the New York Giants plan to cut Pro Bowl wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
The Giants will cut JuJu Smith-Schuster in order to make room for running back Najee Harris, who is coming off a torn Achilles he suffered during the 2025 season. Harris, a former Steeler teammate of Smith-Schuster’s, only got to play three games for the Los Angeles Chargers before the tragic injury.
The Giants still have 12 wide receivers on the 90-man roster after deciding to cut JuJu Smith-Schuster, so there are plenty of options when it comes to carving out the room. On the other side, the Giants’ running back room now has six guys in play. Harris was added after Dante Miller got hurt against the Minnesota Vikings last week.
JuJu Smith-Schuster always had an uphill climb with the Giants
I wrote in June on how Smith-Schuster’s contract details mean he will have to fight for a roster spot. Even if he has a Pro Bowl and 48 receptions for 5,624 yards and 33 receiving touchdowns to his name.
Smith-Schuster’s $1.3 million salary was slated to be less than what third-round rookie Malachi Fields is making in 2026. That right there tells you everything you need to.
It was the right call, as well. Sure, Smith-Schuster has had a decent career, but his skills have been on the decline for a few years, now, and it’s been evident on tape. He lacks explosiveness and simply hasn’t been a very reliable target over the last 2-3 years.
The same still goes for Odell Beckham Jr. and Braxton Berrios, as well. Both of those guys signed vet minimum deals, which means they’re going to have to play their way onto the 53-man roster, as well.
It’s unfortunate for Smith-Schuster, but it’s a sensible move for the Giants that also reminds us just how hard it is to make it in this league.
