INDIANAPOLIS — At Brian Daboll’s introductory Giants press convention in January, Daboll discovered hobbled receiver Sterling Shepard and gave him a giant handshake and hug.
Now in March, the Giants are discussing a doable pay minimize with Shepard’s representatives, a supply confirmed to the Day by day Information, casting doubt on the longest-tenured Big’s future with the crew that drafted him.
Shepard, 29, tore his left Achilles in a Dec. 19 loss to the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. The 2016 second-round decide from Oklahoma performed in solely seven video games in his sixth season with the franchise.
He's scheduled to rely $12.495 million towards the Giants’ wage cap this season with an $8.475 million wage, per overthecap.com. However none of his remaining wage is assured for 2022 or 2023, the ultimate yr of his present deal.
The Giants worth Shepard the particular person and participant. He was already up and about on crutches on the Tremendous Bowl in Los Angeles. Nonetheless, his highway to restoration and the Giants’ wage cap squeeze may make him the crew’s newest veteran casualty.
GM Joe Schoen already launched tight finish Kyle Rudolph and working again Devontae Booker on Wednesday.
The Giants haven’t made a selected provide or talked precise numbers on Shepard’s proposed pay minimize but, and they won't till subsequent week, a supply stated. So Shepard has time to deliberate and weigh his choices.
Schoen additionally stated this week, nonetheless, that he doesn’t contemplate second-year slot receiver Kadarius Toney a tradeable piece. Plus the Giants are scouting the highest wideouts on this NFL Draft class.
Then there may be the human aspect to this entire scenario: Shepard and Saquon Barkley are shut pals. They spend numerous time collectively. And within the span of three days, Schoen has invited groups to name him with commerce affords for Barkley and proposed a pay minimize to Shepard.
Shepard is shut pals with Daniel Jones, too, and he little question would love to assist his quarterback flip the nook on this pivotal fourth yr.
Nonetheless, a commerce could be higher for Barkley. And if the proposed pay minimize to Shepard is steep sufficient, he may resolve in the end that this example isn’t finest anymore for him.
Shepard and Barkley each are good pals with Odell Beckham Jr., as nicely. So that they have been hardened to the fact of the Giants’ and NFL’s enterprise when the crew paid OBJ in the summertime of 2019 solely to commerce him to Cleveland the next spring.
As a result of none of Shepard’s remaining wage is assured, a proposed pay minimize may evolve so far as a one-year deal for 2022 that will get Shepard to free company a yr early however lowers his wage to the ground.
Nook James Bradberry ($21.8 million) and linebacker Blake Martinez ($14 million) are the 2 highest cap hit contracts for 2022 that the Giants haven’t but touched however present doable flexibility to clear extra space. They're additionally two of the Giants’ finest gamers, although.
Martinez, nonetheless, is coming off a torn left ACL.
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