Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants
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Wan'Dale Robinson #17 of the New York Giants carries the ball against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium.
The New York Giants made plenty of additions in free agency, but they also suffered some painful losses.
Homegrown talent like cornerback Cor’Dale Flott, tight end Daniel Bellinger, and wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson decided to take their talents to the Tennessee Titans, reuniting with former head coach Brian Daboll at his latest coaching gig.
Robinson was arguably the biggest gut punch of the bunch. He was coming off a career season in New York, where he hauled in 1,014 receiving yards on 92 receptions and caught four touchdowns. He signed a four-year, $78 million deal with Tennessee.
But the money wasn’t the only reason Robinson took his talents to the Titans; geography was also a factor.
Wan’Dale Robinson Wanted to Stay Closer to Home
Robinson, who the New York Giants drafted out of the University of Kentucky and is a native of Frankfort, Kentucky, wanted to be closer to home, and that’s exactly where he ended up after signing with the Tennessee Titans.
The former second-round pick was asked if Daboll was the main reason he joined the Titans, but Robinson made it clear that wasn’t the sole draw.
“No, it wasn’t just going where he (Brian Daboll) was. There were a lot of factors into it. I’m from Kentucky, and it’s closer to home for me, and it’s a place I just felt like was kind of a perfect fit for me. It was just kind of a new staff, new everything,” Robinson told reporters.
Paul Kuharsky
Wan’Dale Robinson on choosing #Titans.
“Obviously, Dabes being there was an added bonus, but thought about going back to New York, and there was some other teams on the table, but ultimately it was between Tennessee or New York.”
Giants fans can take solace in the fact that they were at least the runner-up when it came to Robinson’s free agency decision, and had it not been for the proximity to his hometown, he may have decided to stay in New York.
Regardless, it could be a blessing in disguise for New York, considering the sizable contract their former draft pick received from Tennessee.
If the Giants had tried to match the Titans’ offer, it could have prevented them from being as active as they wanted to be in free agency.
Giants Able to Spread Their Money Around
While the New York Giants weren’t able to retain their slot wide receiver, they were able to use that money elsewhere.
The Giants were able to bring back right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor on a three-year, $39 million contract, a signing that may not have been possible if they were paying Robinson $19.5 million per year.
There may not have been room for tight end Isaiah Likely, who was signed to a three-year, $40 million contract, and could end up playing a major role in the Giants’ new-look offense.
And that’s not even including the additions on defense, like linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and cornerback Greg Newsome, who the Giants are paying a total of $20 million this season.
The departure certainly stings, but it ended up being a win-win for both sides. Robinson got his money and is closer to home, and the Giants are a better overall team because of it.