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Following months of negotiations, the New York Giants and Victor Cruz have finally come to terms on a lucrative contract extension that will keep the playmaking wide receiver with the team for the long term.
The Giants confirmed Monday that the Pro Bowl wideout has signed a multi-year extension, which FoxSports.com initially reported to be for five years and $43 million and will run through the 2018 season.
Cruz was already under contract for 2013 at a $2.879 million salary, the highest possible tender allowed for a restricted free agent player. Counting this season's commitment, the entire deal will contain $15.6 million worth of guaranteed money.
According to NFL.com, Cruz ultimately accepted an offer from the Giants that had been on the table since he signed his RFA tender back on June 14.
"We are pleased to have this behind us," Giants general manager Jerry Reese remarked. "Now Victor can focus on football."
The former undrafted free agent is coming off a pair of outstanding seasons. After spending his entire rookie campaign on injured reserve in 2010, Cruz set a franchise single-season record by racking up 1,536 receiving yards along with nine touchdowns on 82 catches during New York's Super Bowl XLVI championship run the following year. He backed up that breakout performance by leading the Giants in receptions (86), receiving yards (1,092) and touchdown grabs (10) en route to a Pro Bowl selection in 2012.
"This is just another step to getting where I want to be at the end of my career," said Cruz. "I love to do well for my team and do well each and every year and continue to prove myself and not feel complacent and not feel I've done enough. I want to continue to have catches and yards and touchdowns and help my team win and get to the playoffs and get to the Super Bowl.
"The work is just getting started for me. It's a whole new window of opportunity, a whole new world for me after this contract."
With Cruz now in the fold, the Giants may turn their attention to hammering out a long-term deal with fellow wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, whose rookie contract is slated to expire at the conclusion of this upcoming season.
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