As we told you last week, the New York Giants and Victor Cruz were close on a long term contract. Today that Contract is done with the team and player agreeing to add a 5 year, $43 million extension on to the 1 year, $2.987 million restricted free agent tender that Cruz signed in June.
Cruz gets $15.6 million of his new deal guaranteed, including a cushy signing bonus up front that is reported to be just under $10 million. The deal is scheduled to be signed by both parties by Thursday at the latest.
The deal ensures that Eli Manning will have one of his favorite receivers in training camp and ready to go, as there were rumors that Cruz might hold out, even with his tender signed, if not given a long term contract. Today’s deal squashes that speculation.
Cruz, 26 years old, came out of nowhere to become an NFL star in 2011. Undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft, he eventually landed in New York. Since his big debut in 2011, he has led the Giants in receiving in each of his two years with the team. In 2011 he had 82 receptions for 1536 yards (a team record) and 9 touchdowns. He added 21 receptions for 269 yards and 1 touchdown in the playoffs, helping the Giants to win the Superbowl. Last season Cruz had 86 receptions for 1092 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Given this news it will appear that Giants fans and teammates can expect to see many years of Cruz salsa dancing in the endzone for the G-Men.
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