Multiple sources said Wednesday that the New York Giants were releasing guard Geoff Schwartz, tackle Will Beatty and linebacker Jon Beason as they began their round of veteran roster cuts.
The moves save the Giants about $11.7 million against the 2016 salary cap, which ups their projected cap room to about $55 million for this year even if they make no more cuts.
Beatty was a second-round draft pick of the Giants in 2009 and was re-signed to a five-year, $37.5 million contract before the 2013 season. He struggled in 2013, played better in 2014 but missed the entire 2015 season after tearing a pectoral muscle lifting weights in the offseason. The Giants used the No. 9 pick of last year's draft on tackle Ereck Flowers, who started 15 games at left tackle last season in Beatty's place.
Schwartz and Beason were two of the bigger free-agent signings the Giants made in their 2014 offseason. Schwartz signed for four years and $16.8 million, but he missed 14 games in 2014 and five more in 2015 because of injuries, and the Giants have decided to move on and look for another answer at guard.
The Giants acquired Beason for a seventh-round draft pick from Carolina early in the 2013 season, and he played so well they signed him in the offseason to a three-year, $17 million contract. But he missed a total of 23 games over the past two seasons with injuries, and because of extensive injury issues that stretch back into his time with the Panthers, his career might be over at the age of 31.
The cuts all were expected to some degree, but they point to a few of the Giants' many offseason needs. Middle linebacker, tackle and guard are areas the Giants likely will address in free agency, as they also need pass-rushers, a free safety, a cornerback and a wide receiver, just to name a few.
