Darius Slayton is away from the Giants’ offseason program as he angles for a new contract. He was in attendance at the annual Gridiron Gala in New York, though, and while there he provided an update on where things stand with he and the team. 
“Right now, my agent [Michael Perrett] and [general manager] Joe [Schoen], they’re in negotiations. They’re talking,” Slayton said (via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan). “Hopefully we’ll come to a resolution here soon.”
Slayton re-signed with the Giants last offseason on a two-year, $12MM deal. A $2.6MM roster bonus has already been paid out, and the 27-year-old is due a base salary of $2.5MM for the 2024 campaign. An adjustment to the deal or an extension could increase Slayton’s security beyond the coming season, and the latter move would likely lower his 2024 cap hit ($8.15MM).
Schoen said prior to the draft that no talks with Slayton’s camp were ongoing, so this update marks a notable departure from that stance. The Giants used their top draft pick on a wideout (LSU’s Malik Nabers), a move which has the potential to provide the team with a true No. 1 at the position. Schoen noted, however, that Nabers’ addition will have no impact on New York’s intentions with respect to Slayton.
The latter is “confident” a resolution will arrive before training camp, and it will be interesting to see if negotiations produce an agreement in the coming days or weeks. Slayton recorded a team-leading 770 yards and four touchdowns on 50 receptions in 2023, with his catch total matching his career high. Expectations will be elevated for the Giants’ passing game this season regardless of who is under center, and Nabers’ presence could lower Slayton’s role on offense. Still, he figures to be a key figure for New York moving forward, and a new deal would add clarity to his future.
“Right now, my agent [Michael Perrett] and [general manager] Joe [Schoen], they’re in negotiations. They’re talking,” Slayton said
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Best possible comment for a player, in any sport. I think it helps you focus on your side of the equation, and you’ll never get blamed if the deal goes sideways.
Slayton just signed a two-year deal! Play out your deal, guy, don’t hold out. I suppose with Nabers coming in, Slayton thinks it’s his last chance to hold a gun to the Giants head.
The play out your deal argument makes zero sense when the team doesn’t have to honor the same terms you are holding him to.
Yes, but we just went through this exercise a year ago. Slayton had 4 more receptions and 8 more targets but in 2 additional games in 2023 versus 2022. If I’m the Giants, do I want to pay out #2 receiver money to a guy whose role will decrease in 2024 and he’s pretty much a guarantee to miss a couple games a year?
So, yes, he can go ahead and ask for more money – again – and the Giants can tell him no this time.
I think you’re taking the sanctity of NFL contracts more than a little too seriously. They signed him to an extension at fourth receiver money, then increased his role by like 25%. He not only played far more snaps than any other Giants’ receiver, but played more than all but 22 in football. And he was productive in the role, despite a grim QB situation. Now he’s in a walk year and making dramatically less than guys like Darnell Mooney, who did nothing last year. If the Giants actually value the guy, they should work out a new deal and it sounds like they will. “Hold a gun to the Giants head”? Come on.
In case you don’t know, the NFL doesn’t have guaranteed contracts. The “play out your deal” sentiment in a league where any player can be cut at the drop of a hat is laughable.