Two days after making their initial roster of 53 players, inside linebacker Blake Martinez was released by the New York Giants. In a corresponding move, the Giants acquired veteran offensive lineman Tire Phillips off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens.
A team captain in 2021, Martinez tore his ACL in the Giants’ third game of the 2021 season. The Giants reworked his contract in March, which would have saved New York about $6 million in ceiling space entering free agency. Martinez had one year left on a three-year, $30.75 million contract he signed for the 2020 season.
Martinez, 28, was selected by the Packers in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Starting part-time as a rookie, Martinez became a full-time starter entering his second season at Green Bay. He led the NFL with 144 tackles in his second season. Martinez matched that tally in 2018 while recording a career-high five sacks. He had 155 tackles in his final season in Green Bay while helping the Packers reach the NFC Championship Game.
In his only full season in New York, Martinez had 151 tackles along with three sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He had 23 tackles last season before suffering his season-ending injury.
Despite his previous success, it appears Martinez hasn’t been able to find a place in the defense of freshman defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. With Martinez out of the picture, the Giants could look to rookie Micah McFadden for a bigger role this season. McFadden had a strong preseason and was one of New York’s leaders with 13 tackles in the three exhibition games.
