The New York Giants today signed veteran defensive back Elijah Riley, who was a free agent after spending the past two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In a corresponding move, the Giants waived/injured running back Gary Brightwell.
Riley, 6-0 and 205 pounds, has made seven starts in 30 career games for the Eagles (2020-21), Jets (2021), and Steelers (2022-23). He played a career-high 13 games last season with Pittsburgh, lining up for 50 snaps on defense and 216 on special teams.
View the best photos from the NFL career of defensive back Elijah Riley.
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) defends during an NFL preseason football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 in Atlanta. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) intercepts the ball in the end zone in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Buffalo Bills, in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) defends during a preseason NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. The Steelers defeated the Buccaneers, 27-17. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) celebrates after intercepting a pass during an NFL football game, Sunday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) rushes the passer during an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers defeated the Browns 26-22. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) intercepts the ball in the end zone in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Buffalo Bills, in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) celebrates after a play during an NFL preseason football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023 in Tampa, Fla. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) celebrates an interception in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Buffalo Bills, in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) defends during a preseason NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. The Steelers defeated the Buccaneers, 27-17. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) celebrates an interception in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Buffalo Bills, in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) lines up during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 23-19. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) intercepts the ball in the end zone in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Buffalo Bills, in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) looks on from the sideline during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 23-19. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) celebrates during the game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023 in Pittsburgh. The Steelers beat the Browns 28-14. (Lauren Bacho via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) rushes the passer during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 23-19. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) runs during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Oct 29, 2023, in Pittsburgh. The Jaguars won 20-10. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Elijah Riley (37) warms up during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023 in Inglewood, Calif. The Steelers defeated the Rams 24-17. (Greg Trott via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. celebrates with safety Elijah Riley (37) after breaking up a pass on the last play of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) during an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) runs to the ball carrier during an NFL preseason football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) celebrates an interception during an NFL preseason football game against the Buffalo Bills in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) intercepts the ball in the end zone in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Buffalo Bills, in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) and safety Elijah Riley (37) celebrate after a 4th down stop during an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley works out prior to an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Baltimore. The Steelers won 16-13. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) rushes the passer during an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers defeated the Browns 26-22. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) runs during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL football game at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 in Pittsburgh. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) watches from the sideline during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Pittsburgh. The 49ers won 30-7. (Joe Robbins via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley celebrates a sack against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL football game at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 in Pittsburgh. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley celebrates a sack against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL football game at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 in Pittsburgh. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) during the game, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023 in Pittsburgh. The Steelers beat the Browns 26-22. (Lauren Bacho via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) walks off the field after the Steelers defeat the Las Vegas Raiders 23-18 in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Las Vegas, NV. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) is hit by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley as he throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) intercepts a pass during an NFL football game, Sunday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) and safety Elijah Riley (37) react during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) reacts during warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023 in Houston, TX. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker)
New York Jets Elijah Riley during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets defensive back Elijah Riley (33) drops in coverage during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
New York Jets safety Elijah Riley (33) rushes off the line in the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Houston, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. The Jets won 21-14. (AP Photo/Eric Smith)
New York Jets safety Elijah Riley (33) walks off the field after an NFL pre-season game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
New York Jets' Elijah Riley in action during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Jets safety Elijah Riley (33) in action against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL pre-season football game, Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
New York Jets safety Elijah Riley takes part in drills at the NFL football team's practice facility in Florham Park, N.J., Wednesday, July 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets' Elijah Riley participates in a drill at the NFL football team's training facility in Florham Park, N.J., Tuesday, May 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Jets safety Elijah Riley takes part in drills at the NFL football team's practice facility in Florham Park, N.J., Wednesday, July 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets safety Elijah Riley takes part in drills at the NFL football team's practice facility in Florham Park, N.J., Wednesday, July 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets Safety Eiljah Riley takes part in drills at the NFL football team's practice facility in Florham Park, N.J., Wednesday, July 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets safety Elijah Riley (33) gets set during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard park, N.Y., Sunday Jan. 9, 2022. (AP/ Photo Jeffrey T. Barnes)
New York Jets' Elijah Riley in action during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Jets' Elijah Riley in action during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Jets Elijah Riley, center, defends Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Rob Gronkowski, right, during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Jets Elijah Riley during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Jets Elijah Riley, left, knocks down a pass intended for Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Tyler Johnson during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Jets' Elijah Riley in action during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Jets defensive back Elijah Riley (33) takes the field with his teammates before the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Jets defensive back Elijah Riley (33) celebrates a fourth down stop during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
New York Jets defensive back Elijah Riley (33) celebrates a fourth down stop during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
New York Jets defensive back Elijah Riley (33) lines up for the snap during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
New York Jets' Elijah Riley reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Jets Elijah Riley, right, tackles New Orleans Saints' Alvin Kamara during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Jets defensive back Elijah Riley (33) drops in coverage during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
New York Jets safety Elijah Riley (33) celebrates after a tackle in the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Houston, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. The Jets won 21-14. (AP Photo/Eric Smith)
New York Jets safety Elijah Riley (33) rushes off the line in the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Houston, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. The Jets won 21-14. (AP Photo/Eric Smith)
Philadelphia Eagles' Elijah Riley (39) in action during a pre-season NFL football game against Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Elijah Riley (39) warms up before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Philadelphia Eagles' Elijah Riley (39) hits New England Patriots Gunner Olszewski (80) during a pre-season NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Philadelphia Eagles Elijah Riley (39) celebrates his interception during the second half of a pre-season NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, in Philadelphia.The Steelers defeated the Eagles 24-16. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Philadelphia Eagles Elijah Riley (39) celebrates his interception during the second half of a pre-season NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, in Philadelphia.The Steelers defeated the Eagles 24-16. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Elijah Riley celebrate his interception with cornerback Darius Slay during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against Pittsburgh Steelers Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Elijah Riley (39) warms up before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Elijah Riley (39) warms up before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Army defensive back Elijah Riley (23) knocks the ball from Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson (2) causing a fumble in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Duke's Johnathan Lloyd (5) is tackled by Army's Elijah Riley during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Duke won 34-14. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Army defensive back Elijah Riley (23) celebrates recovering a Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson (2) fumble in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Army defensive back Elijah Riley (23) celebrates a Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson (2) fumble in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Army defensive back Elijah Riley (23) celebrates a Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson (2) fumble in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Duke's Johnathan Lloyd (5) is tackled by Army's Elijah Riley (23) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Duke won 34-14. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
East cornerback Elijah Riley, of Army, (23) during the second half of the East West Shrine football game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
A native of Port Jefferson, N.Y., Riley played in 44 games (32 starts) in his four-year career at Army (2016-19). He was one of 14 semifinalists for the 2019 Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to a defensive back and is based on performance on the field, athletic ability, and character. In June 2019, a new policy was created to allow athletes from the service academies to defer their service while they pursue pro careers.
Brightwell, a sixth-round pick by the Giants in 2021, appeared in 37 games over his first three seasons as a running back and kickoff returner.
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2024 cycle.
OT Evan Neal - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 23)
CB Aaron Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 23)
DB Jalen Mills - Declared Non-Football Injury (July 23)
DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver - Declared Non-Football Injury (July 23)
TE Theo Johnson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 16)
RB Jacob Saylors - Free Agent Signing (June 18)
WR Chase Cota - Reserve/Injured (June 18)
CB Tre Herndon - Free Agent Signing (June 12)
TE Darren Waller - Reserve/Retired (June 10)
S Tyler Nubin - Selection List Signing (May 31)
DB Elijah Riley - Free Agent Signing (May 30)
RB Gary Brightwell - Waived, Injured (May 30)
TE Theo Johnson - Selection List Signing (May 22)
LB Darius Muasau - Selection List Signing (May 15)
CB Dru Phillips - Selection List Signing (May 14)
DL Elijah Chatman - Free Agent Signing (May 13)
OLB Jeremiah Martin - Waived (May 13)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. - Selection List Signing (May 10)
WR Malik Nabers - Selection List Signing (May 10)
K Jude McAtamney - Free Agent Signing: Exempt/International Player (May 10)
WR Ayir Asante, WR John Jiles, DB Alex Johnson, OT Marcellus Johnson, G Jake Kubas, DE Ovie Oghoufo, DL Casey Rogers - Free Agent Signing (May 10)
RB Deon Jackson - Waived, Injured (May 10)
WR Allen Robinson - Free Agent Signing (May 9)
QB Nathan Rourke - Claimed off waivers from New England (May 7)
DB David Long - Free Agent Signing (May 1)
Giants select LB Darius Muasau with No. 183 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. with No. 166 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select TE Theo Johnson with No. 107 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select CB Dru Phillips with No. 70 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select S Tyler Nubin with No. 47 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select WR Malik Nabers with No. 6 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
DB Nick McCloud - Restricted Free Agent Signing (April 15)
LB Matthew Adams - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 12)
DL Jordan Phillips - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 11)
WR Miles Boykin - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 9)
S/LB Isaiah Simmons - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 5)
RB Dante Miller - Free Agent Signing (April 5)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Free Agent Signing (March 24)
CB Darnay Holmes - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 22)
OT Matt Nelson - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 22)
OL Austin Schlottmann - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 18)
OL Aaron Stinnie - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 18)
TE Chris Manhertz - Free Agent Signing (March 16)
TE Jack Stoll - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 15)
OL Jon Runyan - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
OL Jermaine Eluemunor - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
RB Devin Singletary - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
QB Drew Lock - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
DB Jalen Mills - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
WR Isaiah McKenzie - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
WR/PR Gunner Olszewski - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
LB Carter Coughlin - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
OLB Brian Burns - Acquired via trade with Carolina Panthers (March 13)
LB Benton Whitley - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 12)
LS Casey Kreiter - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 12)
G Mark Glowinski - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 4)
C Jimmy Morrissey - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
WR Chase Cota - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
LB Tomon Fox - Reserve/Future Signing (January 10)
DL Ryder Anderson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
DB Kaleb Hayes - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
WR Dennis Houston - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
RB Deon Jackson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
ILB Dyontae Johnson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
OLB Jeremiah Martin - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
G Jalen Mayfield - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
OT Joshua Miles - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
