The New York Giants have started cleaning house ahead of their free agency, opting to move on from veteran wideout Golden Tate.
Tate had two years left on the four-year, $36.3 million contract he signed with the franchise in 2019. By releasing him, the Giants will save around $6 million in cap space.
The team announced the news on Thursday while also confirming the release of linebacker David Mayo.
After the move became official, Tate issued a statement on social media and called the Giants a “class-act organization from start to finish.”
The Giants signed Golden Tate with the intention to make him their No. 1 wide receiver after they traded Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns. However, things didn’t work out the way the team envisioned due to a number of factors.
Tate was forced to sit out four games in his first season in Big Apple after being suspended by the NFL due to a violation of league policy on performance-enhancing drugs. He had a solid campaign once he got on the field, catching 49 passes for 676 yards and six touchdowns, but failed to reach the level the Giants hoped for.
The 2020 campaign was even worse for Tate, as he slid down the depth chart and ended up being the team’s No. 3 receiver. He only managed just 35 receptions for 388 yards and two touchdowns, which was his lowest output since sophomore year.
The Giants will now move with Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton as their main options at wideout while using the money they saved from Tate to fill other holes on offense.
Tate, on the other hand, could still be an enticing addition for several teams and will be attractive for contenders if he is willing to accept less money.
