The New York Giants have released wide receiver Darius Slayton, who has been with the team since being drafted in the fifth round in 2019. He just signed a three-year, $36 million contract with New York in March of 2025.
Giants released veteran WR Darius Slayton.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 7, 2026
In his time with the Giants, Slayton played in a total of 106 games, starting 78 of those, with 296 receptions for 4,435 yards and 22 touchdowns. Last season, he had a career-low in touchdowns with only one despite playing 81 percent of the offensive snaps in 14 games. Slayton also had only 37 receptions for 538 yards, his fewest since 2021, when he started only five games.
During the past two years, Slayton’s production has been steadily declining after reaching over 700 receiving yards
in 2022 and 2023. With his numbers declining, he was arguably no longer worth his nearly $16 million cap hit this season, especially after signing quarterback Jameis Winston and guard Joe Runyan to contract extensions.
With Slayton no longer on the roster, the Giants have Darnell Mooney, Odell Beckham Jr and rookie Malachi Fields behind their No. 1 wide receiver, Malik Nabers.
Beckham Jr. has not played in an NFL game since his brief time with the Miami Dolphins in 2024, when he had 9 receptions for 55 yards over 9 games. However, he earned a spot on the active roster through his performance in training camp. New York also has Braxton Berrios on the practice squad for extra receiver depth.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Giants release WR Darius Slayton who signed $36 million deal in 2025
