Linebacker David Mayo could read the writing on the wall.
The Giants released the 27-year-old was last week as part of general manager Dave Gettleman’s push to get under the salary cap.
Then came word Thursday the Giants were looking at former New York Jets and New England Patriots linebacker Brandon Copeland.
Then came news Thursday night the Giants were signing former Detroit Lions linebacker Reggie Ragland.
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So Mayo, not wanting to be left without a seat when the music stops, made sure to find himself a new home for 2021, by signing Thursday with the Washington Football Team.
Mayo was a fifth-round draft pick by the Panthers in 2015, and signed with the 49ers after four seasons in Carolina. However San Francisco cut him during the preseason in 2019, after which he landed with the Giants.
That Gettleman signed Mayo was no surprise since he drafted the linebacker when he was running the Panthers.
As NJ Advance Media’s Zack Rosenblatt reported, “Mayo had a decent debut season with the Giants in 2019, getting 82 tackles and two sacks while surprisingly starting 13 games. He was expected to remain a starter in 2021, at least after the Giants cut Ryan Connelly, but Mayo injured his knee in training camp and missed the first five weeks of the season.”
By the time he returned, the Giants had already handed the keys over to rookie Tae Crowder, a seventh-round pick in 2020. Mayo still wound up starting two games but ultimately didn’t contribute much of anything on defense. He finished with 29 tackles. The Giants save $2.3 million by cutting Mayo and won’t incur any dead cap penalty.
Mayo played 27 games over two seasons with the Giants, starting 15 times. By signing with Washington, Mayo reunites with Ron Rivera, his former head coach in Carolina.
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.