Victor Cruz and the New York Giants agreed on Monday to a multi-year contract extension, NFL Insider Jay Glazer reports. With Cruz reportedly locked in with the Giants for the next six years, the team will likely begin focusing on a new deal for Hakeem Nicks.
Reports emerged Monday morning that a long-term deal between Victor Cruz and the New York Giants was "close." The deal was reported as complete by Glazer on Monday afternoon.
Cruz, who signed a one-year, $2.987 million tender last month, will now be under contract with the Giants for the next six years. His $15.6 million guaranteed makes Cruz's payday even more impressive, given the Giants aren't known for spending money on receivers, according to Glazer.
As one of the NFL's premier slot receivers, Cruz's new deal sets a benchmark for players in his position. Contract negotiations with Nicks, which are looming around the corner, shouldn't be affected by Cruz's deal.
Nicks considers himself an "outside" receiver and wants to be paid as such, according to Pro Football Talk. Nicks wants a deal similar to the likes of Calvin Johnson, Mike Wallace and Larry Fitzgerald. Although the Giants can use the franchise tag on him in 2014, it's in the team's best interest to lock Nicks down as quickly as possible - he already skipped this season's OTAs for an undisclosed reason.
Keeping both Cruz and Nicks gives quarterback Eli Manning reliable, productive targets on offense. Cruz has career numbers of 168 receptions, 2,628 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns; Nicks has 255 receptions, 3,726 receptions and 27 touchdowns.
Staying healthy next season is imperative for Nicks and any hope for a big pay day.
