New York Giants Will Cut Victor Cruz If He Doesn't Agree To Restructure Contract

Victor Cruz has been a visible part of the New York Giants since he exploded onto the scene as a second-year player in 2011. Unfortunately, Cruz didn’t play during the 2015 season and only suited up for six games in 2014. Now the 29-year-old might wind up playing elsewhere.

The Giants have reportedly told Cruz they will release him if he doesn’t renegotiate his contract. The 29-year-old UMass product is slated to make $7.9 million during the 2016 season and carries a cap hit of $9.9 million.

Cruz blew up in 2011 with 82 receptions for 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns. The former undrafted free agent averaged a phenomenal 18.7 yards per catch, but the bad news is that was his best season. He was decent in 2012, hauling in 86 passes for 1,092 yards and 10 scores, but tapered off in 2013, when he only caught 73 balls for 998 yards and found the end zone just four times. In 2014 he had 23 catches for 337 yards and one score before suffering a torn patellar tendon on October 12, of that year. A calf injury kept him out for all of the 2015 season.

Most NFL fans know Cruz as the salsa dancing deep threat who helped spur the Giants on a brilliant run to win Super Bowl XLVI. But since making the Pro Bowl in 2012 and being a Second-team All-Pro pick in 2011, Cruz hasn’t been a consistent weapon for Eli Manning and company.

In 2013, Cruz signed a six-year, $45.879 million contract, with $15.625 million guaranteed. After missing almost two full seasons of football, he has to know that a restructured deal with the Giants is the best one he’ll get. It is highly unlikely anyone will offer him more than one year guaranteed until he shows he can stay healthy.