Giants Make Decisions on Restricted Free Agents

The Giants are bringing back two of their restricted free agents.

The New York Giants are bringing back tight end Lawrence Cager, who ended the season on injured reserve last year with a groin issue, and cornerback Nick McCloud, both of whom were set to be restricted free agents.

The team, however, is not tendering receiver Isaiah Hodgins, who was also set to be an RFA.

Cager announced his return on his X (formerly Twitter) account. McCloud was listed as receiving a right of first refusal (ROFR) tender worth $2.985 million on the league's personnel notice.

Cager, 26 years old, was a midseason addition by the Giants during the 2022 season after spending time with the New York Jets. The undrafted free agent out of Georgia, a wide receiver convert, caught 13 passes for 118 yards and one touchdown in six games that season. He appeared in 11 games last year, catching four passes for 36 yards and one touchdown.

Before transferring to Georgia for his final campaign, Cager, who played three seasons of college ball at Miami, Florida, had 45 receptions for 681 yards and ten receiving touchdowns in three years for the Hurricanes. He recorded 33 receptions for 476 yards and four touchdowns at Georgia.

Cager likely signed a more cap-friendly deal to remain with the Giants instead of receiving the $2.985 million right of first refusal offer (ROFR).

McCloud was a no-brainer. He finished last season as the team's best special teams player and a guy who gave them quality reps at cornerback. McCloud, one of the punt gunners, finished with three special teams tackles, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries.

The 6-1, 193-pound cornerback, who's been with the Giants for two seasons, has appeared in 31 games with 11 starts, one interception, nine passes defended, and 1.5 sacks in limited defensive snaps. The Giants had reportedly wanted to sign McCloud to a multiyear deal, but the two sides couldn't get it done by the 4:00 PM deadline Wednesday.

Hodgins came over midway through the 2022 season after starting his career with the Buffalo Bills, who waived him. He appeared in 25 games with 14 starts, recording 54 receptions for 581 yards and seven touchdowns in his time with the Giants. But last year, he lost snaps to Darius Slayton, who finished as the team leader in receiving yardage.

Hodgins was reportedly offered a one-year deal worth $1.5 million, including incentives, but the deal never materialized. As Hodgins looks to move on, the Giants will look to a very deep receiver class for any necessary reinforcements. 

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