Giants finally get WR Victor Cruz under contract
- Wideout%27s current salary for 2013 slated at about %243 million%2C but he%27s seeking longer deal
- Both Cruz and fellow WR Hakeem NIcks will be free agents in 2014 without extensions
In three days, the New York Giants could have reduced the restricted free agent tender offer they extended to Victor Cruz from $2.879 million to $630,000.
But Cruz took the necessary step to prevent that by signing his tender Friday, a person informed of the transaction told USA TODAY Sports. The person, who requested anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak on behalf of Cruz, said the sides are continuing to work on a long-term deal but are no closer than they've been in recent weeks.
Cruz told ESPN he and the Giants will "continue talks for a long-term deal before camp starts."
Signing the tender means Cruz is required to report to training camp next month or he'll risk being fined $30,000 for each day he misses. That's the trade-off for locking in his current salary of nearly $3 million for next season, a figure he obviously doesn't want as his going rate come Week 1.
But after missing all of the team's spring sessions (offseason workouts, organized team activities and minicamp), Cruz has at least put himself on the required-attendee list this summer, which is somewhat of a positive sign.
Cruz's desire for a long-term deal comes at the same time the Giants are facing another contract issue with fellow receiver Hakeem Nicks also seeking security. Though Nicks hasn't spoken publicly on the issue, he skipped the team's OTAs without stating a reason. Nicks is entering the final year of his pact, with a base salary of $2.725 million this season. Unlike Cruz, he was required to attend minicamp, so he did just that.
But Cruz's acceptance of his tender means he and Nicks are now both in the same situation, both only under contract for 2013 and slated to become unrestricted free agents in 2014. The Giants have been trying to sign both players, which is part of the reason why they've been trying to keep the price in check on Cruz.
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