For the last two years, New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz has been battling to get his spot back in the Giants wide receiver depth chart following back to back season-ending injuries. The former All-Pro wideout was at the top of his game coming into the 2014 season and paired with dynamic rookie Odell Beckham Jr, the future looked bright for the Giants receiving crew.
But Cruz’s 2014 season ended due to an injury and his 2015 season never started which immediately put Victor’s future with the team in serious doubt. As the 2016 season started, it appeared the Giants had their new star wideout in Odell Beckham Jr and a rookie star to pair with him in Sterling Shepard. Cruz played 15 games but posted a career-low in just about every major statistical category behind only his injury-shortened six gam season in 2014.
Despite taking a pay cut coming into the 2016 campaign, the Giants have cut Cruz, a fan favorite for many. The Puerto Rican wideout who broke out the salsa after every score will have to take his dance to another team next season.
Following from Kimberly Jones of NFL Network and Adam Schefter of ESPN.
I'm told the NYG just released Victor Cruz. Source: Cruz "is OK."
— Kimberly Jones (@KimJonesSports) February 13, 2017
Victor Cruz would have counted for $9.4 million against Giants' salary cap. His release this afternoon will free up $7.5 million vs cap.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 13, 2017
Victor Cruz had two years left on his contract and was due to count $9.4 million against the salary cap next season.
Cruz has spent his entire seven-year career with the Giants since entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of UMass. The Paterson, New Jersey native broke onto the scene while wearing #3 in back to back preseasons to start this decade. His breakout 2011 season saw him catch 82 passes for 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns along with a selection to the Pro Bowl and as a second-team All-Pro. He, along with Hakeem Nicks, formed a dynamic passing attack for Eli Manning and the duo significantly contributed to the Giants’ Super Bowl XLVI win over the New England Patriots.
For Cruz, his future in the NFL is very cloudy, but he’s only 30 and possibly has a couple of good seasons left in him for a team in need of a slot wideout. Hopefully, he can bounce back and contribute at a high level at least one more time.
