New York Giants Release Victor Cruz and Rashad Jennings in Order to Create Cap Space

Victor Cruz has spent his entire seven-year NFL career with the New York Giants, but that came to an end on Monday as he and running back Rashad Jennings were released by the team in a move that will save the organization $10 million towards the 2017 salary cap.

In those seven seasons, Cruz recorded 303 receptions for 4,549 yards with 25 touchdowns and helped the Giants to a victory in Super Bowl XLVI over the New England Patriots.

“I’m going to miss the people there,” Cruz said. “They’ll always be family. People like that, when you know them that long, they don’t go anywhere.”

With the emergence of Sterling Shepard and Roger Lewis Jr. last season, Cruz became expendable for the Giants, especially considering his large contract. Even though he was a fan favorite, New York was forced to make the cost-cutting move.

As for Jennings, he leaves the Giants after three seasons where he carried the ball 543 times for 2,095 yards and 10 touchdowns as he struggled to take advantage of the opportunity given to him as the lead running back. Rookie Paul Perkins outperformed Jennings down the stretch last season and out-touched Jennings 13-6 in the team’s 38-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Division Round of the 2017 playoffs.