Giants' Joe Schoen Not Worried About Cutting McCloud

Cutting McCloud, who signed a $3 million tender in restricted free agency, drew criticism given how vindictive the transaction looked. Schoen, however, didn’t acknowledge how that move might have put a rift in the locker room.

“No. I mean, we've had active roster players like (outside linebacker) Boogie Basham, (outside linebacker Benton) Whitley, we've got guys that were on the active roster that are now on the practice squad,” Schoen said. “So, I don't know how that would alienate anybody.”

New York had pulled this move before, signing restricted free agents and offering players a roster spot in exchange for a portion of their contract. In some cases, the Giants have released said players and, as Schoen mentioned, placed them on the practice squad when necessary.

But McCloud, who was clearly one of the team’s top four corners, played a meaningful role, rather than a part-time elevation candidate. New York needed the competency he provided early in the season, and while it’s been far from perfect, he hasn’t stood out as a detriment compared to his peers in the secondary. The NFL is a business, of course, but putting the screws to a respected veteran was always going to land Schoen in hot water with the media and, perhaps, the team.

“No matter what decision I make, it's going to be popular and it's going to be unpopular,” Schoen said. “I mean, that's just the nature of the beast. And not everybody is going to agree with everything I do. And there's going to be a lot of people that disagree and agree. So, it's the nature of the business, you've got to get comfortable with making the decision. And early on in this, that was hard to do. When you have to make those difficult decisions, you always think about the locker room. You think about the impact down there. And you also want to do what's best for the organization.”

New York isn’t a better team without McCloud, and it’s unlikely a late-season pickup provides as much value as a special teams contributor with legitimate defensive versatility. But at least one other team was happy to profit off Schoen’s decision.

The San Francisco 49ers signed McCloud to the practice squad after he cleared waivers, potentially giving him a path to playing meaningful January football – something the Giants couldn’t provide.

Thus far, only edge rusher Brian Burns has spoken publicly about his disappointment in the move.

“So, you take all that into account and I'm close with these guys too,” Schoen said. “I'm close with the players and it stinks sometimes when you have to cut them. I don't want to do that, and they have lives and families and we're around these guys a lot and you get to know them. So, I've got a good relationship with our leadership group in the locker room and if they have questions, they can come and ask me, or I keep them abreast if something's coming up or coming down the pipe where we may have to make a move. And I consult with some of those guys sometimes.”

The McCloud cut wasn’t Schoen’s best decision, but the Giants have bigger problems on their hands. With a bye week to mull over the starting quarterback decision and recover from Week 10’s 20-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers, it’s worth monitoring how hard New York plays for its coaching staff and front office down the stretch.