The Giants cut a Pro Bowler and bought his surprise replacement out of retirement.
Kicker Aldrick Rosas was released Sunday six weeks after a hit-and-run collision that resulted in three misdemeanor charges in California, and he will be replaced in time for training camp by newly signed Chandler Catanzaro, The Post confirmed. Catanzaro left Jets training camp last August and did not play in 2019.
The Giants retained Rosas as a restricted free agent in March on a non-guaranteed one-year, $3.2 million contract. There is no dead salary-cap space associated with the release.
Rosas thanked Giants ownership and fans for support in a goodbye note on Instagram.
“It’s been an incredible ride and I’ve met so many amazing coaches and teammates,” Rosas wrote. “I wish I could’ve performed at the level I know I can play at. I have nothing but love towards the New York Giants. The value of character, love and family are seen in everyday life at the facility within the staff and management.”
Rosas was charged with reckless driving, hit and run property damage and driving on a suspended license due to a previous DUI in California. He does not face any alcohol-related charges — despite California Highway Patrol’s notation alcohol was suspected in the June 15 crash — because he was not given a sobriety test.
Witnesses reported Rosas ran a red light in at 90-100 miles per hour before the crash in an intersection. Police say they caught up to a bloodied Rosas three hours later walking on the side of the road, about a mile from the scene.
Rosas has an arraignment hearing Sept. 4 that does not require an in-person appearance and the case is unlikely to be resolved before then. The Giants cut ties before the league determined whether to discipline Rosas under the Personal Conduct Policy, which is possible regardless of legal outcome.
Catanzaro bounced between the Panthers and Buccaneers in 2018 and was off to a shaky start with the Jets last summer. One day after missing two PATs in a preseason game against the Giants, Catanzaro walked in to coach Adam Gase’s office and retired, later posting on social media, “God has blessed me far more than I deserve. … It’s time to move on.”
It is unclear what changed Cantazaro’s mind and if the Giants first targeted any of the more accomplished kickers available in free agency. Stephen Gostkowski and Nick Folk are familiar to Giants coach Joe Judge, a Patriots special teams coach from 2011-19, including five seasons as coordinator.
Rosas planned to report to training camp Tuesday alongside veteran teammates, including cornerback DeAndre Baker, who was arrested this offseason on felony assault and armed robbery charges. Baker, a 2019 first-round draft pick, is flying from Florida to New Jersey today.
The NFL’s Commissioner’s Exempt List is a possibility for Baker as he awaits legal resolution.
Only the league — not teams — can make that decision. Players on that list cannot participate in games or practices but can be at the facility with team permission for meetings and other non-football activities, which will account for the bulk of the first few weeks of camp with the extended acclimation period keeping players off the field until mid-August.
The Giants enter camp with only three players with a Pro Bowl on their résumés: Saquon Barkley, Golden Tate and Leonard Williams were selected once each.
Rosas earned his ticket to the Pro Bowl by making 32 of 33 field goals in 2018, sandwiched around two inconsistent seasons. He made 82.7 percent of his career field goals.
Catanzaro, who spent most of his career with the Cardinals, has made 83.8 percent of his field goals, including the longest kick in overtime history when he won a game for the Buccaneers from 59 yards.