The New York Giants made a significant change to their roster as the NFL season commenced, releasing veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton. Slayton, who was with the Giants since 2019, was unexpectedly dropped from the team despite initially securing a spot from training camp.
Wide receiver Darius Slayton, the longest-tenured Giants player entering the 2026 NFL season, was surprisingly released despite initially making the roster out of training camp, the team announced.
With this decision, the Giants save approximately $3 million in cap space, as Slayton was set to have a cap hit of $15.9 million for the 2026 season.
Slayton expressed his gratitude on social media for his years with the Giants, thanking the organization and fans.
Drafted in the fifth round from Auburn, Slayton demonstrated potential with 740 receiving yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie, though he never emerged as the top receiver. Despite frequent coaching changes, he retained a position on the team, although his career was marked by missed opportunities including dropped passes.
The Giants’ new roster includes several fresh faces. Calvin Austin III suffered a season-ending injury, while Odell Beckham Jr. and Darnell Mooney were selected, along with rookie Malachi Fields. Fans celebrated Beckham’s return, who is expected to play an essential role alongside Mooney and others.
The release of Slayton suggests confidence in first-round pick Malik Nabers, who impressed during practice. However, the Giants have not confirmed Nabers will participate in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys.
If Nabers misses the game, Mooney, Fields, and Beckham would adjust to take on wide receiver responsibilities under quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Slayton’s departure opens opportunities for him to join another team seeking to strengthen their receiver unit. Giants fans witnessed a player with potential but struggled to maintain consistency throughout his tenure in New York.