Victor Cruz’s future is clouded, but the wide receiver doesn’t expect to move on from the New York Giants.
In an interview with For The Win, Cruz said there’s an 80-percent chance he’ll return to the franchise that signed him after going undrafted in 2010.
Cruz missed the entire 2015 campaign due to a calf injury, which followed a season-ending torn patellar tendon in 2014. All told, he hasn’t played a regular-season game since Oct. 12, 2014.
The Giants likely want to restructure Cruz’s contract. According to Spotrac, he’s set to count $9.9 million against the cap next season, $9.4 million in 2017 and $8.5 million during his contract year.
For reference, Cruz is the 14th-highest paid wide receiver. Brandon Marshall, DeSean Jackson and Randall Cobb are directly below Cruz on the list. There’s no guarantee the 29-year-old ever returns to that level of play.
Considering his complete absence of production lately, New York would probably like to get Cruz into the low-30s alongside Andre Roberts, Kenny Britt and Eddie Royal. Each one is set to earn between $4.5 and 5 million in 2016, which seems reasonable for Cruz.
Money isn’t the biggest issue, especially since the Giants can offer an incentive-based contract. The larger problem is the term, because the club probably doesn’t want to be tied down to an injury-riddled receiver for three years.
Cruz might find himself on a one-year prove-it deal. But there’s a 20-percent chance that’s not in New York.