INDIANAPOLIS — At Brian Daboll’s introductory Giants press convention in January, Daboll discovered hobbled receiver Sterling Shepard and gave him an enormous handshake and hug.
Now in March, the Giants are discussing a attainable pay reduce with Shepard’s representatives, a supply confirmed to the Daily News, casting doubt on the longest-tenured Giant’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 choose from Oklahoma performed in solely seven video games in his sixth season with the franchise.
He is scheduled to depend $12.495 million in opposition to the Giants’ wage cap this season with an $8.475 million wage, per overthecap.com. But none of his remaining wage is assured for 2022 or 2023, the ultimate 12 months of his present deal.
The Giants worth Shepard the particular person and participant. He was already up and about on crutches on the Super Bowl in Los Angeles. Still, his highway to restoration and the Giants’ wage cap squeeze might make him the crew’s newest veteran casualty.
GM Joe Schoen already launched tight finish Kyle Rudolph and operating again Devontae Booker on Wednesday.
The Giants haven’t made a selected supply or talked precise numbers on Shepard’s proposed pay reduce but, and they may not till subsequent week, a supply mentioned. So Shepard has time to deliberate and weigh his choices.
Schoen additionally mentioned this week, nonetheless, that he doesn’t take into account second-year slot receiver Kadarius Toney a tradeable piece. Plus the Giants are scouting the highest wideouts on this NFL Draft class.
Then there’s the human ingredient to this entire state of affairs: Shepard and Saquon Barkley are shut mates. They spend numerous time collectively. And within the span of three days, Schoen has invited groups to name him with commerce provides for Barkley and proposed a pay reduce to Shepard.
Shepard is shut mates with Daniel Jones, too, and he little question would love to assist his quarterback flip the nook on this pivotal fourth 12 months.
Still, a commerce could be higher for Barkley. And if the proposed pay reduce to Shepard is steep sufficient, he might resolve finally that this example isn’t finest anymore for him.
Shepard and Barkley each are good mates with Odell Beckham Jr., as properly. So they have been hardened to the truth 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.
Because none of Shepard’s remaining wage is assured, a proposed pay reduce might evolve so far as a one-year deal for 2022 that will get Shepard to free company a 12 months early however lowers his wage to the ground.
Corner 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 attainable flexibility to clear extra space. They are additionally two of the Giants’ finest gamers, although.
Martinez, nonetheless, is coming off a torn left ACL.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com