It’s official — the Giants made the tough call.
In a move driven by financial reality, head coach John Harbaugh and the front office released veteran linebacker Chris Board, freeing up $2.1 million in much-needed cap space.
The decision wasn’t an easy one.
Board, 30, signed a two-year, $6 million deal last offseason to stabilize New York’s special teams and provide depth at linebacker. Unfortunately, his first season in East Rutherford was cut short after a Week 2 chest injury landed him on injured reserve. Despite the brief stint, he had already been contributing on special teams and filling in at linebacker during an injury-plagued stretch.
The financial squeeze ultimately forced the Giants’ hand. With limited cap flexibility, every dollar mattered — and the $2.1 million savings became too significant to ignore.
A Long History
The move carries added weight given the relationship between Harbaugh and Board. The veteran coach originally gave Board his NFL opportunity as an undrafted free agent in 2018. They spent five seasons together before reconnecting in New York.
That history made this more than just another roster transaction — but in today’s NFL, sentiment rarely outweighs salary cap math.
What’s Next?
The Giants now gain modest breathing room financially, but they also create new questions at linebacker and on special teams. Whether they address those needs through free agency or the draft remains to be seen.