The John Harbaugh era meant change for the New York Giants, but as Week 1 officially got started on Monday, a surprising one came to the 53-man roster.
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.
Slayton was set to have a cap hit of $15.9 million in 2026, and the Giants save about $3 million in cap space with the move.
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Darius Slayton of the New York Giants is in action against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Jan. 4, 2026. The Giants won 34-17. (Getty Images)
Slayton also posted on social media after getting the news from the organization.
“Grateful for my time in NY,” he posted on X. “7 years a Giant nothing but love for one of the most prestigious organizations in the NFL. Excited to see what’s next.
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Slayton was a fifth-round draft pick out of Auburn in 2019, where he showed much promise after going for 740 yards on 48 receptions with eight touchdowns. Slayton never became a top receiver option, but he provided depth at the position and continued to make the roster despite multiple coaching changes during his seven-year tenure.
Slayton was never able to find the end zone more than four times in a single season after an eight-touchdown campaign his rookie year, but he may have had more if it weren’t for some costly drops – a pain point amongst the Giants’ fan base when it came to Slayton’s resume.
Heading into this new year, there were questions about Slayton’s job security considering the emergence of several receivers snagged in free agency, let alone another new coaching staff. The Giants brought in Calvin Austin III, Darnell Mooney and Odell Beckham Jr., which fans loved to see, while also drafting Malachi Fields in the third round.
Darius Slayton of the New York Giants reacts during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on Jan. 4, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Getty Images)
It was clear Fields was going to make the roster, and though Austin suffered a season-ending injury during training camp, the others were battling for spots.
Fans were delighted to see Beckham make Harbaugh’s squad, as did Mooney. But Slayton had earned the roster spot as well, with Fields and 2024 first-round pick Malik Nabers rounding out the five wideouts in the room.
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With Slayton’s release, it could indicate that Nabers is indeed ready for Week 1, which is where he was trending after surprising many with how he was moving at practice throughout the last month. Still, the Giants haven’t made it a definite that their first-rounder and top wide receiver will be on the field for Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys.
If he isn’t, that leaves Mooney, Fields and Beckham to take over the workload out wide for quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Darius Slayton of the New York Giants runs onto the field before a game against the San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Nov. 2, 2025. (Getty Images)
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Meanwhile, Slayton could find a new home elsewhere for those who are not as happy with their receiver depth entering the new season.
