PALM BEACH, Fla. — Inside the posh environment of The Breakers hotel and resort, a lot of business and potential business is discussed. That includes ongoing trade discussions between the New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs regarding standout cornerback James Bradberry. There are varying degrees of confidence on if and when a deal is ultimately struck, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly. No deal is regarded as imminent, per sources.
Chiefs remain interested in a potential trade for James Bradberry
There are multiple NFL teams interested in Bradberry as a big, athletic shutdown corner, per sources. Bradberry, 28, is due a $13.4 million base salary in 2022. Should the Giants trade Bradberry, it would create a salary cap savings of $12.1 million. Most of those teams are only interested in Bradberry as a free agent should he be released by the NFC East franchise.
However, the Chiefs are extremely interested in a potential trade for Bradberry. Compensation discussions have ranged from a late-round selection going to New York in a possible deal to swapping picks in the middle rounds, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
The Chiefs have also displayed interest in veteran free agent cornerback Stephon Gilmore, a former Pro Bowl selection who has had discussions with Kansas City and the Las Vegas Raiders, per a league source.
Kansas City would likely try to sign Bradberry to a long-term contract extension if they acquire him, a league source predicted.
Giants coach Brian Daboll didn’t go into detail about any trade discussions, which is the area handled primarily by general manager Joe Schoen. However, he did characterize the Bradberry situation as one that bears watching.
“That’s where it’s at,” Daboll said during the annual NFL owners’ meetings. “It’s a long way until the season starts and probably a lot of things that could go either way. I think it’s just a fluid situation.”
Bradberry was a Pro Bowl selection in 2020. He intercepted 4 passes last season and had 17 pass deflections. Bradberry has 15 career interceptions and 380 tackles.
A former Carolina Panthers second-round draft pick from Samford University, Bradberry signed a three-year, $45 million with the Giants in 2020. In 2021, he restructured his contract twice to create cap space for the Giants.
“Long,” Daboll said of Bradberry, an imposing outside corner at 6-foot-1, 212 pounds. “Been a good player.”