The New York Giants are going to make James Bradberry a free agent, per reports, which presents an interesting case for the Kansas City Chiefs.
For several weeks of this offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs were linked to New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry in trade rumors. As it turns out, the Chiefs weren’t willing to dance and neither was any other team.
NFL reporter Dan Duggan has word that the Giants are set to release Bradberry on Monday after failing to find a suitable trade partner before or during the 2022 NFL Draft. It means the Giants will save significant money against the cap but will also be forced to take on dead cap space this year as they try to get out from underneath a contract signed during the years of Dave Gettleman as general manager.
Leading up to the draft, the Chiefs’ interests in the rookie pool were primarily focused on edge rusher and wide receiver while many fans and analysts thought that GM Brett Veach might serve up a late-round pick (or perhaps a swap of such picks) in exchange for Bradberry’s services. It made plenty of sense at the time knowing the Chiefs had a need in the secondary and that Bradberry still has plenty left in the tank.
Instead, the Giants were unable to find any takers—and who can blame other teams for not wanting to pay the exorbitant money due to Bradberry in the first place when they knew the Giants lacked any leverage—for their veteran corner and now they’re setting him free. It was one thing for the Chiefs to have to trade something away as well as take on the finances involved, but what if he was free to sign on new terms?
At this point, the Chiefs have lost Charvarius Ward to the San Francisco 49ers, Mike Hughes to the Detroit Lions, and Chris Lammons to his own penchant for violent behavior. However, the Chiefs invested multiple picks on cornerbacks in the draft, including a first-round pick on Trent McDuffie and a fourth-rounder on Joshua Williams. They also landed two more in the seventh round and traded for Houston Texans cornerback Lonnie Johnson.
At this stage, the Chiefs look deep, although inexperienced, at the position, but the only way to properly sift through what they have is to give the current prospects the reps they need to adjust. Does trading for Bradberry halt the development of key players?: Or is it a smart addition to land a former Pro Bowler at a cheaper price?
At the very least, it’s an interesting case that the Chiefs will undoubtedly discuss in the front office. Whether or not they will make a move, at least the cost is much smaller this time around.