NFL.com insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that the New York Giants will be releasing cornerback DeAndre Baker.
#Giants are set to release CB Deandre Baker, officially moving on from their ex-first rounder this week, source said. Not a surprise, they’d hinted at it… and recently gave away his number. Baker was on the Commissioner’s Exempt list after charges with 4 counts of armed robbery
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 7, 2020
This is a move that has been expected for some time. A warrant was first issued back on May 14th of this year for Baker’s arrest for his alleged role in an armed robbery.
Since then the legal case has taken a number of twists and turns, and at the time the Giants asked him to stay away from meetings and the team facilities. Because Baker has been on the Commissioner’s Exempt list, he didn’t count against their 80 or 53-man roster.
Giants’ owner John Mara said at his most recent press conference that a decision would be coming soon. Mara said, “We certainly did not see that [Baker’s arrest] coming. A decision will be made sooner rather than later on that.” He added, “ The DeAndre thing was a shock. There was no indication coming out of college… I listen very closely in those draft meetings when they talk about players and their backgrounds and whatnot, and particularly when you’re talking about a first-round player. There was no indication that we should be concerned about any criminal activity. That was a big disappointment.”
“The DeAndre Baker thing was just something we did not see coming,” Mara said. “I read some stories saying there were red flags about him, but not in the sense that you would be concerned about criminal conduct at all. Obviously, it’s something that’s embarrassing to the organization. It’s just something that we’re going to have to deal with. It happens from time to time. Fortunately, 99.9 percent of our players are good citizens. This was one that just we didn’t see coming and it’s something that we’re going to have to deal with.”
Baker was expected to be one of the Giants’ starting cornerback along with veteran free agent addition James Bradberry. The Giants will now look to go into their week one match-up with a combination of Corey Ballentine, Logan Ryan, Isaac Yiadom, and Brandon Williams across from Bradberry.
We will bring you more news as we get it.