Extending his career further past his brief retirement, Cole Beasley has once again found a new home. The veteran wideout is signing with the Giants, as first reported by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network (Twitter link) and confirmed by a team announcement. CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson tweets that it is a one-year deal.
The move will allow Beasley to reunite with Brian Daboll, the Giants head coach who served as offensive coordinator with the Bills during the former’s first stint in Buffalo. During that time, Beasley enjoyed a productive spell and recorded a career-best 967 yards in 2020. He will now have the opportunity to replicate the success he and Daboll enjoyed together after nearing heading to the Big Apple last year.
Beasley began the 2022 season with the Buccaneers, but he was used sparingly in two games, leading to his retirement decision. The 34-year-old quickly changed his mind, though, and came back to Buffalo to close out the season. He only made a pair of catches with the Bills, putting his playing future in serious doubt.
The former UDFA expressed a willingness to continue with the Bills this offseason, knowing that would entail a reduction in role compared to his 2019-2021 stretch with the team. Over that span, he received over 100 targets each year as a dependable member of Buffalo’s high-volume passing attack. Beasley made it clear, however, that he would retire for a second time in the absence of a deal before training camp.
Now that one is in place, he can compete for a roster spot on a Giants receiver room which faces plenty of questions entering the season. New York set about improving their pass-catching corps this offseason, one in which the franchise committed to Daniel Jones as its quarterback of the future. That effort included the trade acquisition of tight end Darren Waller, the free agent signings of Parris Campbell and Jamison Crowder, along with the selection of Jalin Hyatt in the third round of the draft.
A number of those new faces, along with returnees like Wan’Dale Robinson, are candidates to see considerable usage in the slot, the area Beasley has occupied throughout his 11-year career. Robinson may not be healthy in time for the start of the season, which could give the latter an added opportunity to carve out a role during training camp as he looks to continue his career.
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