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.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMDarius 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.JOHN HARBAUGH AND JAXSON DART AIM TO PULL THE NEW YORK GIANTS OUT OF THE NFC EAST BASEMENTSlayton 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...