The Giants cut Kyle Rudolph and Devontae Booker, the team announced on Wednesday.
Rudolph, who is not planning to retire, posted on Instagram Wednesday to thank the Giants and fans.
Giants release Kyle Rudolph, Devontae Booker as cap casualties begin
GM Joe Schoen has said he wants to cut $40 million off the Giants' books
"Fans thanks for taking me and my family in this past year! Certainly not the year any of us expected, but a year we will never forget..," Rudolph captioned it. "We're appreciative of the Mara and Tisch Families for giving us the opportunity to be a Giant. Thanks to everyone in the building who took in and helped this old guy who needed to relearn everything about a new organization.. Finally my teammates, in my 11 years in this league I'm not sure I've been around a closer group of guys! We may not have got the results we deserved, but that didn't keep us from going to work together everyday!"
With GM Joe Schoen stating he wants to cut $40 million off the Giants' books, Rudolph definitely had a star next to his name. By cutting him, the Giants are saving $5 million with $2.4 million in dead cap.
In Booker's case, his release gives $2.1 million back to the cap with $1 million in dead money.
Rudolph, who made minimal contributions in the passing game last season, was making too much money to keep around. With Evan Engram also set for free agency, the Giants will likely be in the market for a tight end there or in the draft.
On the other hand, Booker's 593 rushing yards was tied with Saquon Barkley, who was paid significantly more in 2021 and will count for $7.217 million against the cap this year.
Rudolph and Booker are just the start to cap casualties, as they probably won't be the last for Schoen.