New York Giants veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton returned to the team’s offseason workout program earlier this week after missing the first three OTAs over a contract dispute.
On Thursday, we learned that Slayton is back and happy after the team and his reps agreed on some additional contract incentives.
“I’m satisfied. We got what we needed to get done. Just looking forward to getting back to playing ball,” Slayton told reporters. “We just adjusted my contract this year a little bit. Just try to make it a little more lucrative. But business is business, and I’m here.
Those incentives, which reportedly have a chance to earn an additional $650k, plus the team’s new additions on offense, may have had Slayton thinking about job security. The Giants used their first-round selection in this year’s NFL draft on LSU stud Malik Nabers and added veteran chain-mover Allen Robinson.
Let’s not forget the investment the club has made in several other wideouts such as Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt.
“I try to just live in the moment, live in this year, enjoying my time with them, enjoying my time around them. Who knows what the future holds? I can’t know it anyway. So I just try to be my best day in and day out,” Slayton said.
What Slayton’s role will be is also uncertain at this time. He’s been the Giants’ top receiver since he and quarterback Daniel Jones got here back in 2019 but the new additions have to be considered a major challenge to his status on the depth chart.
He doesn’t mind being part of a group as long it helps the team.
“You’ve got to be a little delusional. You’ve got to think the ball is coming your way every time even if it’s not,” he said.
Asked how Jones could change the public’s negative perception of himself, Slayton’s answer was simple.
“Win. Two years ago when we were in the playoffs, everybody was like, ‘actually, he needs help.’ The narrative comes and goes depending on how your team does,” Slayton said.
Meanwhile, the Giants are thrilled to have Slayton back.
“One, I’m glad Darius is back. When you look at the totality of the message it sends to the locker room, everyone knows there’s a difference between the personal and the professional and not blending how you feel about the person. We all love Darius. There’s sometimes disagreements between families, but you find a way to find common ground, which we did, and you move forward,” assistant general manager Brandon Brown said.
“We’re happy that he’s here, and we’re happy to keep moving forward with him. He’s back like he never left.”
