As expected, receiver Victor Cruz took less money to stay with the Giants. As not expected, it’s a lot less.
Art Stapleton of the Bergen Record reports that Cruz’s base salary for 2016 has dropped from $7.9 million to $1.3 million in 2016. He can earn $5.5 million of the amount back based on playing-time and production incentives.
The specifics triggers for the increase of Cruz’s aren’t known. It’s also not known whether Cruz has adjusted his base salaries for 2017 and 2018, years in which he is due to earn $7.4 million and $8.4 million, respectively.
It’s safe to assume that Cruz didn’t have a significantly better option elsewhere, and for good reason. He missed roughly half of the 2014 season with a ruptured patella tendon and all of 2015 with a calf problem.