EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Wide receiver Golden Tate has been released by the New York Giants in a cost-cutting move, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday.
The move creates $6 million in cap space for the Giants, $10 million if he is designated a post-June 1 cut. Tate was to make $8.5 million and count $11 million against the cap in 2021.
Tate, 32, caught 35 passes for 388 yards and two touchdowns last season. It was the least productive season since his rookie year, in part because he missed four games and started just four, serving as the Giants’ third receiver behind Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton.
The lack of playing time and opportunities led to some frustration following a prime-time loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 2. Tate was caught on camera yelling “throw me the ball!” after his spectacular leaping touchdown grab late in the fourth quarter to put the Giants in position to tie the score.
His wife, Elise, ranted that night on Instagram about Tate’s lack of opportunities, and Tate later liked a tweet that suggested he should be cut and given an opportunity to sign elsewhere.
Tate did not travel with the team to the following week’s game against the Washington Football Team, but Giants coach Joe Judge was extremely complementary of Tate’s team-first approach the remainder of the season.
Tate also got into a fistfight on the field with Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey following an early-season matchup.
The Giants signed Tate to a four-year deal worth $36.3 million with $22.95 million guaranteed after trading Odell Beckham Jr. in 2019.
Tate has played 11 years with the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and Giants, making a Pro Bowl and winning a Super Bowl as one of the league’s most productive receivers.
The former Notre Dame star has 695 career catches for 8,278 yards and 46 receiving touchdowns. He’s also tied for first in yards after the catch (4,248) with Antonio Brown since entering the league in 2010.