Giants Country

Giants Moving on from Safety Antoine Bethea

The team will not exercise the veteran safety's option, making him a free agent.
Patricia Traina|
Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com via USA TODAY NETWORK

The Giants are planning to move on from safety Antoine Bethea in a move that will free up $3 million in cap space, a source confirms.

The 35-year-old Bethea started all 16 games last year for the Giants, finishing as the team leader in total tackles with 110, the only defender to top the 100 tackle mark. 

But Bethea seemed to lose a step or two in coverage, coming up with just one interception and five pass breakups while allowing five touchdowns and 17 of 25 pass targets against him to be completed for a career-worst 133.8 NFL rating. 

Bethea, who prior to signing a two-year contract with the Giants had spent two seasons with the Cardinals under now-former Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher, had a $250,000 option in his contract for this year. By declining the option on his contract, the Giants will not be hit with any dead money against their salary cap.  

The Athletic - New York was first with the report. 

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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