New York Giants Rumors: Victor Cruz Contract Resolution Coming?
New York Giants Rumors: Is Victor Cruz willing to take a paycut to remain with the Giants after missing almost all of the last two seasons?
The New York Giants are flush with cap space for the 2016 offseason. They have about $60 million available to spend, which is exactly what the doctor ordered for Jerry Reese and the front office. The Giants need to make a splash in free agency and retool a number of positions on the defense, while shoring up some areas offensively as well.
One of those areas offensively is the wide receiver position. Outside of Odell Beckham Jr. it is a lot of question marks at the spot for the Giants. Rueben Randle is not expected to be retained as a free agent, which lessens their depth even more. But, there is a chance that Victor Cruz is brought back into the fold for the 2016 season.
Cruz has battled injuries the past two seasons. He has not appeared in a game since Week 6 of the 2014 season when he tore his patellar tendon on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. He did not appear in a game during the 2015 season, as he rehabbed from that injury and then suffered an injury to his calf during training camp that he was never able to overcome.
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Cruz was set to be paid $7.9 million in 2016, with a cap hit of $9.9, a number that would have been surpassed in 2016 only by Eli Manning on the whole roster. With him not appearing in a game in so long, that is not a number the Giants were prepared to pay him. According to Ed Werder of ESPN, the Giants told Cruz that he must take a paycut if he wishes to remain with the team, otherwise they would give him his outright release; none of Cruz’s money for the 2016 season was guaranteed.
According to Werder and ESPN New York’s Dan Graziano, the Giants have had discussions with Cruz’s agent, Tom Condon about Cruz’s cap number for the 2016 season. Graziano also adds that the two sides had met last week as well, and that a resolution should come sometime this week.
The Giants hold all the leverage in these negotiations, as Cruz has not played in almost two years. That would make him an unlikely target for a team in free agency despite the thin market at the position this season. Also, with no money guaranteed on the deal, it would behoove Cruz to play ball with the Giants at the negotiating table so that he can try and guarantee himself at least something this season instead of trying to earn something on the open market.
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The odds are strong that Cruz will remain with the Giants for the 2016 at a reduced price. But, do not be surprised if the Giants bring in more help at the receiver position, as he is still a huge question mark going forward and the Giants cannot afford to be timid in free agency if a player they like comes along.