When the New York Giants lost star running back Saquon Barkley to the hated Philadelphia Eagles in free agency ahead of the 2024 season, they were looking everywhere for a solution at running back.
Sitting on the roster was former fifth-round pick out of Tennessee and Oklahoma, Eric Gray.
Gray was coming off an uneventful rookie campaign behind Barkley in 2023, where he rushed for just 48 yards on 17 attempts. He missed a month of the season due to injury and was used occasionally on kickoff and punt returns.
Hopeful that Gray could carry some of the load - literally - after Barkley's departure, the Giants were disappointed in Gray's second season when he couldn't even reach his rookie marks. Gray managed just 31 yards on 14 carries for a whopping 2.2 yards per carry and struggled with ball control in the return game before being relieved of his special teams duties.
The team stumbled to a 3-14 record and is still looking for answers on offense - and running back.
In April, the Giants drafted Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo in the fourth round, virtually spelling the end of Gray's tenure in New York.
Gray's rookie contract runs through 2026, but since it's a rookie deal, there is very little cap repercussion for cutting him. In fact, he team would save around $1 million by cutting him this offseason.