The Giants’ longest-tenured player is sticking around for at least another season. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter), the Giants have reached an agreement on a restructured deal with wideout Sterling Shepard.
While we don’t have full details on Shepard’s pay cut, we have learned that the two sides chopped a year off the player’s contract. Shepard was originally signed through the 2023 season, but Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv tweets that the restructure will see the final season wiped off that deal. As a result, 2022 will now be the final year of the receiver’s contract.
We heard recently that the Giants were asking the former second-round pick to take a significant pay cut as part of the team’s larger cost-cutting agenda. Shepard reportedly wasn’t a fan of that idea, but the two sides apparently came to a compromise. The receiver was set to earn a salary of $8.5MM next season.
When healthy, Shepard has been Daniel Jones‘ favorite target, but injury troubles (such as the torn Achilles he is currently rehabbing) have landed the wideout in this financial situation. Shepard seemed to be coming into his own in 2018 when he finished with 872 receiving yards. However, he’s missed 20 games over the past three seasons, including 10 in 2021. He ultimately finished last season with 36 receptions for 366 yards and one touchdown.
Shepard should bolt from the Giants, as something is wrong there – meaning it will cost him money in the long run …
He’s a great WR but 1) injuries have added up and 2) hasn’t had a good QB throwing to him his entire career. (Eli was way past his prime and any decency when SS got there.)
He’s always hurt. I hope they didn’t spend too much to keep him.
He is not a great WR. Decent slot guy, you don’t take a pay cut of 5 million if you are a #1
It’s a way for him to stay employed and rehab as his Achilles injury means he’ll be out until at least the middle of the season. He could then come back, prove he’s returned and get a contract with either the giants or someone else for 2023.
For him there was no other option.