Giants Country

Giants CB Darnay Holmes Reportedly Agrees to Pay Reduction

Holmes's agreement to a pay cut saves his roster spot.

Patricia Traina

Giants CB Darnay Holmes Reportedly Agrees to Pay Reduction
Giants CB Darnay Holmes Reportedly Agrees to Pay Reduction /
In this story:

New York Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes has agreed to accept a pay cut to remain with the team, according to The Athletic.

Holmes, entering the final year of his rookie contract, was due to count for $2.940 million against this year's cap, $2.743 million of which was his base salary, a number that inflated thanks to performance escalators paid out to rookies who exceed their initial base salaries.

Holmes has been the Giants' primary slot cornerback in the last three seasons, playing 1,069 of his 1,296 defensive snaps in the slot. He has a career 88.3 NFL coverage rating despite allowing 70.9 percent of the pass targets against him to be completed. But he's also only allowed one touchdown in three years while reeling in two interceptions and making nine pass breakups.

Where Holmes's game has been most frustrating is in the penalty department. He has 15 career penalties, including a team-leading nine last season. But with the Giants having no other clear options for the slot--they've tried Adoree' Jackson in that role with some success and are also waiting to see if Nick McCloud, who's been sidelined by injury, can make it back for the season opener--Holmes gives the team some insurance at the position.

Details of Holmes's pay reduction were unavailable, but according to the NFL minimum salary chart, Holmes's base pay will likely not dip below the $1.080 million minimum. He will also likely have some incentives built in to earn back some of what he gave up.

Holmes was drafted in the fourth round (No. 110 overall) out of UCLA in 2020.

Published
Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

Home/News