Giants, Connor Barwin To Part Ways
Connor Barwin will not return to the Giants next season. The veteran outside linebacker still has one more year to go on his contract, but the two sides will be “parting ways,” according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). 
Reading between the lines, it sounds as though Barwin will be released before his $250K roster bonus hits on March 7. His two-year, $3.5MM deal calls for him to carry a $1.865MM cap number in 2019 if he stays on the roster. By releasing him, the Giants would save $1.5MM against just $365K in dead money.
The Giants appreciate Barwin’s experience and leadership, but they want to take a longer look at younger players, Raanan hears. With 56.5 career sacks, it’s likely that Barwin will draw interest elsewhere, assuming that he wants to continue playing.
Barwin’s playing time dipped as the season progressed, a sign that the Giants did not have him in their long-term plans. The 32-year-old appeared in 15 games but started in just three and had just one sack to his credit in 2018.
Latest On Giants, Eli Manning
After the conclusion of the Giants’ season, GM Dave Gettleman had a “very extensive” and “no holds barred” conversation with Eli Manning about his future with the team. Since then, there hasn’t been a whole lot in the way of conversation. On Monday, Manning’s agent Tom Condon confirmed that the two sides have not engaged in contract talks in recent weeks. 
“It’s just too early,” Condon said.
The Giants may ask Manning to take a pay cut in order to stay on board for 2019. Manning is set to carry a $23.2MM salary next year and, speculatively, one has to imagine that the Giants would stick it out with the 38-year-old if he was willing to accept a bit of a trim. If Manning holds his ground, then it’s not hard to imagine Gettleman going in another direction.
The Giants went 5-11 in 2018, but they found some success in the second half of the year and went 4-4 over their final eight games. Defenses were kept honest with Saquon Barkley‘s running later in the season, which allowed Manning to thrive. The veteran QB wound up completing a career-high 66% of his passes last year for 4,299 yards and 21 touchdowns against eleven interceptions.
For what it’s worth, Condon said that he expects Manning to move forward with the Giants in 2019. He also echoed his client’s desire to remain in New York.
“I think he’d love to come back,” said Condon. “Guys love to play their whole careers with one team, if they have a good experience with that team.”
Giants, Condon Yet To Discuss Eli's Status
Eli Manning‘s future with the Giants remains uncertain, and Manning’s agent has yet to hear from the team about his status. While Tom Condon said (via Paul Schwartz of the New York Post) he believes Manning will be back with the Giants for his age-38 season, he has not spoken with team brass about this yet. Both parties are in Mobile, Ala., this week for the Senior Bowl, so a conversation could transpire regarding a Manning 16th season with New York. The Giants have also not expressed any public desire to ask for a Manning pay cut, per Schwartz. The two-time Super Bowl MVP has one more season, at a $23.2MM cap number, remaining on his Giants deal. When asked earlier this month about Manning’s future with the Giants, Dave Gettleman did not commit to the popular quarterback coming back. Manning has not previously played into a contract year.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/17/19
Here are the latest reserve/futures contract signings from around the NFL. These deals will go into effect on the first day of the 2019 league year, with players joining their respective clubs’ offseason 90-man rosters:
Los Angeles Chargers
New York Giants
Pittsburgh Steelers
- DB Marcelis Branch
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/14/19
Here are Monday’s reserve/futures contract decisions:
Dallas Cowboys
- T Jake Campos
- RB Jordan Chunn
- CB Treston DeCoud
- CB Donovan Olumba
- LB Kyle Queiro
- DT Aziz Shittu
- G Cody Wichmann
Los Angeles Chargers
- K/P Ty Long
New England Patriots
- OL Ryker Mathews
New York Giants
- OLB Avery Moss
- G Chad Slade
Philadelphia Eagles
- LB Asantay Brown
- C Anthony Fabiano
- G Kaleb Johnson
- CB Jeremiah McKinnon
- WR Braxton Miller
- WR Dorren Miller
- DE Joe Ostman
- RB Donnel Pumphrey
- CB Chandon Sullivan
- TE Will Tye
Seattle Seahawks
- DT Jamie Meder
Giants Interview Kacy Rodgers
- Former Jets defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers was thought to be following Todd Bowles to the Buccaneers, and while that union may still occur, Rodgers today interviewed for a senior defensive position with the Giants, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. If Rodgers does end up in Tampa Bay, he’ll be the club’s new defensive line coach, but it’s unclear what exactly his role would be with New York. Per RapSheet, the Giants would actually create a new position for Rodgers if he were to come on board.
Giants Rumors: Manning, Vernon, Jenkins
Eli Manning is less-than-certain about his future with the Giants. In a radio interview this week, Manning expressed doubt that he’ll be under center for the G-Men in 2019, as Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com writes.
“I do. I do,” Manning said when asked if he wants to play again. “I love playing football. I like my teammates and the coaches we have.”
However, when Manning was asked if we have seen the last of him, the quarterback simply said, “We’ll see.”
Recently, Giants GM Dave Gettleman had a “very extensive” and “no holds barred” conversation with Manning about his future. It’s not hard to read between the lines: despite Manning’s past success and a quietly solid second half to the 2018 season, the Giants are giving real consideration to cutting ties with the two-time champ.
Here’s more from the Meadowlands:
- Manning isn’t the only Giants notable who is in danger of being a cap casualty, Dunleavy writes. Outside linebacker Olivier Vernon ($11.5MM in potential savings; $8MM in dead money), cornerback Janoris Jenkins ($7.75MM savings; $7MM dead money), and linebacker Alec Ogletree ($6.5MM savings; $5.25MM dead money) are among several vets who could be shown the door. Others on the block include running back Jonathan Stewart, tight end Rhett Ellison, strong safety Michael Thomas, and outside linebacker Connor Barwin.
- The Giants have to fix their broken evaluation process before they enter the meat of a pivotal offseason, Matt Lombardo of NJ.com writes. Last year, the Giants put all of their eggs in the Manning basket by spending big on tackle Nate Solder, trading a fourth-round pick for linebacker Alec Ogletree, signing right guard Patrick Omameh to an ill-fated deal, and adding aging running back Jonathan Stewart. This time around, the Giants have to realistically evaluate their chances to win right away in 2019. In theory, they could spend big on another tackle to bookend Solder and hope for the best, but that won’t be a prudent move unless their truly in position to succeed in ’19.
Giants Won't Pursue Kevin Stefanski
The Browns were originally scheduled to meet with Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski on Monday, but they’ve moved that interview to today, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Stefanski, who was elevated to offensive coordinator in Minnesota following John DeFilippo‘s firing, is in consideration for Cleveland’s head coaching job. While the Vikings are still interested in retaining Stefanski, he’s no longer under contract. Meanwhile, the Giants — who attempted to lure Stefanski to New York last offseason — won’t pursue Stefanski this year, as head coach Pat Shurmur told Mike Francesa of WFAN (Twitter link via Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com).
Giants Commit To OBJ; Won’t Commit To Eli Manning
At a Wednesday press conference, Giants GM Dave Gettleman reaffirmed that Odell Beckham Jr. remains in the team’s plans. However, he declined to commit to a future with longtime franchise quarterback Eli Manning. 
“We didn’t sign him to trade him,” Gettleman said when asked about the temperamental wide receiver (Twitter link via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY).
When pressed further about OBJ, Gettleman told reporters, “You heard what I said.” However, it’s a different situation when it comes to Manning.
Gettleman said he had a “very extensive” and “no-holds barred” conversation with Manning on Monday, suggesting that Manning could be on his way out.
“We will do what’s in the best interests of the New York Giants. We’re trying to build sustained success. That takes brutal honesty and some tough decisions,” Gettleman said (Twitter link via Vacchiano).
Early in the 2018 season, it seemed certain that Manning wouldn’t be the Giants’ quarterback in 2019. The Giants were 1-7 and the season was circling the drain again, with Manning struggling heavily in his first year in Pat Shurmur’s offense. But, the Giants managed to turn things around by winning four of five games and had a near upset win over the Colts.
Manning, ultimately, finished out with his best statistical season in years, and his yards per attempt was his best posting since 2011. Before the Giants’ home finale, we heard that Manning was still more likely to return as the team’s QB than not. Now, however, that’s very much in question.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 12/31/18
New Year’s Eve marks the first day eliminated teams can sign players to reserve/futures contracts. Here is the first wave of those decisions:
Arizona Cardinals
- OL Justin Evans
- OL Will House
- QB Chad Kanoff
- CB Jonathan Moxey
- CB Deatrick Nichols
- LB Pete Robertson
- OL Coleman Shelton
- RB Brandon Wilds
Atlanta Falcons
- QB Kurt Benkert
- WR Christian Blake
- CB Taveze Calhoun
- LB Jermaine Grace
- TE Jaeden Graham
- TE Alex Gray
- WR Devin Gray
- OL Sean Harlow
- DL Jacob Tuioti-Mariner
Carolina Panthers
- T Isaiah Battle
- DB Quin Blanding
- RB Reggie Bonnafon
- LB Brandon Chubb
- DT Woodrow Hamilton
- WR Andre Levrone
- DB Cole Luke
- DB Kai Nacua
- DT Elijah Qualls
- G Ian Silberman
- G Landon Turner
- WR DeAndrew White
- LB Antwione Williams
Detroit Lions
- WR Deontez Alexander
- LB Garret Dooley
- S David Jones
- OL Jarron Jones
- DE Jonathan Wynn
Green Bay Packers
- TE Evan Baylis
- DL Eric Cotton
- T Gerhard de Beer
- G Anthony Coyle
- FB Malcolm Johnson
- S Tray Matthews
- WR Teo Redding
- LB Brady Sheldon
- DL Deon Simon
- S Jason Thompson
Minnesota Vikings
- WR Jeff Badet
- LB Reshard Cliett
- DL Curtis Cothran
- DB Jalen Myrick
- RB Roc Thomas
New York Giants
Pittsburgh Steelers
- WR Trey Griffey
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- T Cole Boozer
- WR K.J. Brent
- DE Demone Harris
- G Ruben Holcomb
- DE Farrington Huguenin
- DE Patrick O’Connor
- RB Dare Ogunbowale
- LB Emmanuel Smith
Tennessee Titans
- RB Dalyn Dawkins
- OL Jamil Douglas
- CB Mike Jordan
- WR Roger Lewis
- OLB Gimel President
- OL David Quessenberry
- WR Kalif Raymond
- WR Devin Ross
- S Damon Webb
Washington Redskins
- C Casey Dunn
- WR Carlos Henderson
- T Roubbens Joseph
- WR ArDarius Stewart
- RB Elijah Wellman
- DT JoJo Wicker