Ray-Ray McCloud's Tumultuous 2025 Season Continues with Giants Release
Ray-Ray McCloud’s winding journey through the 2025 NFL season took another turn this week, as the New York Giants released the veteran return specialist and wide receiver from their practice squad. It's the latest chapter in what’s been a frustrating and unpredictable year for a player who once led the league in punt returns and brought spark to special teams units in Pittsburgh and San Francisco.
McCloud had signed with the Giants back on October 23, shortly after being released by the Atlanta Falcons under circumstances that raised more questions than answers. His time in New York was brief and uneventful from a football standpoint, and now, just weeks later, he’s once again looking for a new opportunity.
A Sudden Exit in Atlanta
McCloud’s departure from Atlanta came as a surprise. He was inactive for two straight games, including Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers - the team he’d previously played for the past two seasons. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris described the situation as a “private matter,” saying McCloud had been sent home on an excused absence and that the team was “working through some things” with the player.
Morris made it clear that McCloud’s absence wasn’t related to the recent firing of wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard - though the timing certainly raised eyebrows. Hilliard and McCloud go back to their days in Pittsburgh, and by all accounts, the two remain close. After Hilliard’s dismissal, McCloud took to social media to call him “the best coach I’ve ever had,” adding pointedly that the NFL “has no loyalty.”
That sentiment echoed again this week, when McCloud posted a lengthy and emotional message on Instagram reflecting on his turbulent season. He closed the post with a message that seemed to speak volumes: “God always sheds light to the truth because IT WAS NEVER PERFORMANCE BASED.”
From Pittsburgh to San Francisco - and Back East
McCloud signed a two-year deal with the Falcons in March 2024 after a productive stint with the 49ers. In San Francisco, he carved out a consistent role as both a return man and a depth receiver.
In 2023, he averaged 10.8 yards per punt return and 23 yards per kickoff return - strong numbers in today’s NFL, where return opportunities are increasingly limited. He also chipped in offensively, catching 14 passes for 243 yards and adding 78 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Before his time in the Bay Area, McCloud spent two seasons with the Steelers, where he became a fan favorite thanks to his explosiveness on special teams and his growing role in the offense. In 2021, he led the league in punt returns (38) and punt return yards, averaging nearly 10 yards per return. That same year, he set career highs across the board as a receiver, hauling in 39 catches for 277 yards.
Originally drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, McCloud’s early career included short stints with Buffalo and Carolina before finding his footing in Pittsburgh. He was briefly re-signed by the Bills in 2020 but was waived before the season began - a twist of fate that opened the door for his breakout with the Steelers.
What’s Next for McCloud?
At 29, McCloud’s skill set still holds value. He’s a proven returner with reliable hands and field vision, and he’s shown he can contribute as a gadget player on offense. But the off-field uncertainty surrounding his release in Atlanta - and now his quick exit from New York - clouds the picture moving forward.
For now, McCloud is back on the open market, searching for a team that sees the same potential he’s flashed throughout his career. Whether his next opportunity comes this season or in 2026, one thing’s clear: Ray-Ray McCloud isn’t done yet. He’s been counted out before - and more than once, he’s found a way to bounce back.