Giants Ask DRC To Take Pay Cut

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie signed with the Giants four years ago, but the team has revamped its front office. And the new one doesn’t like how much money the defensive back will earn in 2018.

The Giants have asked DRC to take a “significant” pay cut, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). While it’s uncertain if the 11th-year defender will do so, Garafolo reports the sides are not believed to be close on terms at this point. However, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv expects a resolution to be reached before free agency opens on Wednesday. Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com says the team could also look to trade DRC, as his salary is reasonable for a team that believes he could start on the outside (Twitter link).

Rodgers-Cromartie will turn 32 in April and has just one year remaining on a five-year, $35MM contract he signed in March 2014. That year calls for a $6.48MM base salary — which the team would save by cutting him — and a $8.5MM cap number. DRC could balk at a major pay cut by believing he could fetch at least a per-year offer of close to what he’d make with the 2018 Giants, but he’s one of the players Big Blue could target as a cap casualty.

If the two sides can agree on a pay cut, the team plans to move DRC to safety next season. The Giants are expected to make a big push to sign Andrew Norwell to begin an offensive line overhaul Dave Gettleman has repeatedly hinted at. With Norwell possibly costing more than $12MM per year, and the Giants sitting on less than $15MM in cap space, adjustments will need to be made before a strong offer goes out to the UFA guard.

While the then-cornerback was part of a historically turbulent season for Giants corners, incurring a one-game suspension from then-HC Ben McAdoo, Pro Football Focus still graded DRC as a mid-level player. He would likely receive an opportunity elsewhere if the Giants moved on from him. The rangy defender is on his fourth team but has started 120 games in his career and has made two Pro Bowls.