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By Alex Gajovich-Protich @AlexProtich

According to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, Giants TE Rhett Ellison is actually considering retirement. 

Ellison had his season cut short in Week 10 when he suffered a concussion vs. the Jets and finished the season trying to escape concussion protocol. Ellison still is an expected cap casualty due to his massive contract in which he is expecting to take $7.18M against the cap in 2020. Whether the Giants cut bait with Ellison or he retires, they save $5M and eat $2M in dead cap space.

If Ellison is healthy and would take a significant pay cut, he would be worth bringing back, especially when you look at Evan Engram’s injury history.

Future at TE

The Giants will have to make up their mind about picking up Evan Engram’s fifth-year option. Besides Engram, they have Kaden Smith and Garrett Dickerson at the position. The Giants can also look to get a TE in the draft, but it’s highly unlikely the Giants shop in free agency this off-season.  At the tail-end of 2019, Kaden Smith showed he belonged with very nice production.

Ellison’s Giants Tenure

Put aside Jerry Reese overpaying Ellison in 2017, Ellison had a decent tenure as a New York Giant. He did a decent job at the 2nd tight end spot. He did a good job of run blocking and pass-blocking when needed to and was a decent target in the passing game; however, he was often underutilized. He suited good depth when Evan Engram was injured. Ellison, however, is 31 years old in the Giants rebuild. Either way, there is a 90% chance he won’t return in 2020.

Stats (2017-2019) (New York Giants)

  • 33 Games Started
  • 40 Games Played
  • 67 Receptions
  • 674 YDS
  • 4 Touchdowns