Giants Country

Darius Slayton Reportedly Seeks Contract Extension

Slayton has reportedly skipped the start of the team's voluntary off-season program.

Patricia Traina

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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New York Giants receiver Darius Slayton, the team leader in receiving yards in four out of the last five seasons, is reportedly skipping the voluntary off-season conditioning program that began Monday because he is seeking a contract extension.

Slayton, a fifth-round draft pick in 2019, has appeared in 76 games with 53 starts and has 220 career receptions for 3,324 yards and 19 touchdowns. He has never recorded a 1,000-yard season; his best campaign came last year in which he lost 770 receiving yards on 50 receptions, the reception total tying a career-high.

Slayton, who is in the final year of the two-year contract signed last off-season, has an $8.15 million cap hit this year, including a $2.5 million base salary and a $2.6 million roster bonus he's already collected.  He took a pay cut two years ago to remain with the Giants and was rewarded with a new two-year contract from the Giants, which he took over an offer from the Atlanta Falcons.

Whether the 6-1, 198-pound Slayton has any leverage in such a quest is debatable. The Giants are widely believed to be looking at adding a WR1 in next week's draft, with such a player likely to draw the lion's share of the passing targets if it comes to fruition. 

That could then mean a reduction in Slayton's targets, especially with second-year man Jalin Hyatt expected to have a bigger role on offense this year and Wan'Dale Robinson also expected to play a larger role.

Some have wondered whether Slayton's roster spot could be in jeopardy if the Giants were to draft a WR1 in this year's draft. If they were to cut him, they'd save $3.8 million, again a reduction because of the roster bonus having been paid out, and would have a $4.35 million dead money hit.

 

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for over three decades for various media outlets. She is the host of the Locked On Giants podcast and the author of "The Big 50: New York Giants: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants" (Triumph Books, September 2020). View Patricia's full bio.