New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton made his return to voluntary organized team activities this week after finally having his contract adjusted. Slayton had been absent from the team’s offseason program while negotiating a new deal, but he has now signed off on a restructured contract that includes the opportunity to earn an additional $650,000 in incentives, as reported by ESPN’s Field Yates. His base salary for the season stands at $6.2 million, with the added incentives providing him with a chance to boost his earnings for the upcoming campaign. Slayton expressed his satisfaction, stating, “I’m satisfied. We got done what we needed to get done and just looking forward to playing ball.”
Background and Expectations
At 27 years old, Slayton originally entered the league as a fifth-round pick out of Auburn in 2019. Despite facing struggles within the Giants’ offense last season, he emerged as the team’s most reliable receiver, amassing 50 catches for 774 yards and four touchdowns. With hopes of receiving recognition for his contributions, Slayton decided to push for a revised contract that would reflect his value to the team. Although the exact details of the additional incentives remain undisclosed, they were instrumental in reaching a compromise that allowed Slayton to return to the team.
Throughout the negotiation process, Slayton remained confident in the eventual resolution between his agent and Giants general manager Joe Schoen. His optimism was evident when he was honored at the Gridiron Gala last month, as he expressed his belief that an agreement would be reached without causing him to miss significant playing time. Despite initially staying away from the start of the Giants’ offseason program in April, Slayton’s decision was met with added pressure following the team’s selection of wide receiver Malik Nabers in the draft. Nabers, chosen as the No. 6 overall pick, was seen as a potential game-changer for the Giants’ receiving corps.
Despite facing uncertainty about his status on the team’s depth chart under the new coaching staff, Slayton was able to solidify his position as the top receiver by the end of the season. As the Giants aim to establish a strong receiving core, Slayton is expected to play a significant role alongside upcoming talents such as Nabers, 2023 third-rounder Jalin Hyatt, and Wan’Dale Robinson. Assistant general manager Brandon Brown expressed the team’s happiness in having Slayton back in the fold, highlighting the importance of separating personal feelings from professional decisions. The Giants remain optimistic about the upcoming season and look forward to Slayton’s contributions on the field.