Cornerback James Bradberry. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Texans reportedly were close to trading with Giants for CB James Bradberry

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen admitted last week he likely was going to release starting cornerback James Bradberry as a salary-cap casualty because the one-time Pro Bowl selection carried a $21.9 million cap hit for the 2022 season. Schoen said at that time he "thought there would be more interest" among teams regarding Bradberry's services, and the Giants officially parted ways with the 28-year-old on Monday. 

It appears Schoen was close to finding a buyer for Bradberry. 

The Athletic's Dan Duggan reports that the Houston Texans and Giants agreed to terms on a trade that would've involved Houston sending "a late-round draft pick" to New York for Bradberry. However, the Texans and Bradberry couldn't come to an agreement on a new deal that, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, likely would've included an extension that would've lessened Bradberry's cap hit for 2022. 

Additionally, Duggan notes the Giants offered to eat some of Bradberry's salary in return for a better draft selection, but Houston apparently wasn't interested in that option. Instead, the Giants saved a reported $10.1 million by releasing the veteran who was in the final year of his deal. 

Bradberry tallied 47 total tackles, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries and 17 pass breakups last season and will likely be contacted by a handful of clubs. Duggan reports that the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers "are among the potential landing spots" for Bradberry this spring.

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