Victor Cruz can still choose to hold out of training camp with the New York Giants if he wants to. While the wide receiver did sign a $2.87 million tender prior to offseason minicamp starting, he is still waiting to sign a long-term deal that sets him as a Giant for years to come. Both sides have been working through negotiations and ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that a long-term contract has apparently been agreed upon.
Cruz is expected to sign a contract extension prior to reporting training camp at the end of July. There are no reports of what the contract size will look like, but it was rumored that Cruz originally turned down a deal worth $8 million per season before signing his tender.
"Everybody I've spoken to expects that deal to absolutely get done, to a 100 percent degree of certainty, that Victor Cruz will have a new contract by the time the Giants open training camp," Mortensen reported.
Cruz is almost certain to show up to training camp even if he is not signed to a long-term deal. Holding out would cost him the opportunity to become an unrestricted free agent in 2014. If a deal is not done, the Giants will likely franchise the wide receiver instead of letting him walk away.
Cruz's contract extension has been one of the main headlines of the NFL offseason. At one point the Giants placed a first-round tender on the receiver, giving teams the opportunity to give up their first-round draft pick for Cruz. Both sides have gone back and forth on the number that Cruz is worth. New York will have to deal with this same scenario next summer with their other big receiver, Hakeem Nicks, is due an extension. The contract given to Cruz will likely dictate the contract given to Nicks.
Cruz is coming off two of the most productive seasons for a wide receiver. In 2011, Cruz was third in the NFL with 1,536 receiving yards. He produced another 1,000 yard-plus season in 2012, while also turning a career-high ten touchdowns earning him a trip to the Pro Bowl.
While Cruz will get his extension, Nicks must be careful. Coming off his worst season with the team, he is entering a crucial contract year. If Nicks is unable to improve and second-year receiver Rueben Randle emerges as a real talent, he could be out come next summer.
