Talent is a ‘huge factor’ why James Bradberry chose Eagles over Giants

PHILADELPHIA — If James Bradberry wants a career in scouting after his playing days are over, he clearly has an eye for talent.

When a three-month saga over his uncertain future with the Giants finally came to an end with his release in May, Bradberry turned his 2022 season into a chase for a championship rather than a hunt to quickly recoup lost wages. He knew from across enemy lines in the NFC East that the Eagles — after a one-time playoff appearance with questions about the future of MVP candidate Jalen Hurts — had the pieces to make a deep run.

“That played a huge role,” Bradberry said Sunday night, in a locker room celebrating his berth in the 2023 Super Bowl. “I wanted to go to a team that had good defense and had weapons on offense that could move the ball. That’s why I ended up choosing here.It’s worked so far.

The quickest way for Giants general manager Joe Schoen to clean up the salary cap mess created by predecessor Dave Gettleman’s kick-the-can restructurings and free agent overpayments to Kenny Golladay and Kyle Rudolph was to dump Bradberry.

Schoen waited past a time when $2 million of Bradberry’s salary became guaranteed — lowering the Giants salary cap savings from $12.1 million to $10.1 million — but didn’t. was ultimately unable to reach a deal in part because Bradberry was unwilling to re-contract playing for the losing Texans after the two teams reached a trade quota on a new contract, as first reported The Athletic.

The wait cost Bradberry, whose salary from the Giants would have been $13.4 million, a chance to make big money as a free agent in March. He settled for a one-year, $7.25 million contract with the Eagles.

“I certainly understood their point of view,” Bradberry said. “It was one of the ways I was able to relax more about the situation. They were trying to get something back for me because I was a commodity from a business standpoint.

By the endgame of OTAs, however, patience was running out on both sides. Bradberry signed with the Eagles nine days after being cut.

“At that time, I was just sad that I didn’t have a job,” Bradberry said. “What I focused on all year was making sure I did my part. I know we have a great team here and will dominate.

Mission accomplished on both fronts. Bradberry, who was a Pro Bowler in his first season with the Giants in 2020, bounced back from a subpar 2021 to allow just two touchdowns on 94 targets and rank 18th among NFL cornerbacks. , according to Pro Football Focus. He’s set up for a big free agent salary.

“It was a blessing in disguise,” Bradberry said. “Just keep going.”

As a bonus, Bradberry had the last laugh with three wins over the Giants, including one in the NFC Divisional Round, when he intercepted Daniel Jones.

“It was kind of ironic that they released me and I had an impact sending them home,” Bradberry said. “A top-three moment of my career.”