Darius Slayton is about to hit free agency, and according to Spotrac, he’s projected to land a two-year deal worth just under $32 million—$16 million per season.
That’s a pretty big chunk of change for a player who’s spent most of his career as a solid, but unspectacular, contributor for the New York Giants. Sure, Slayton has had his moments, but $16 million a year? That’s some serious cash, especially for someone who hasn’t cracked 800 receiving yards in a season.
The real kicker here is the comparison to a contract Joe Schoen passed on last offseason. Remember Xavier McKinney? He left for the Green Bay Packers and signed a four-year, $67 million deal with an average annual value (AAV) of $16.75 million.
Now, we know McKinney plays safety, and safety isn’t always the most glamorous position in terms of big paydays. But McKinney was just named first-team All-Pro this season, and he’s clearly one of the best at his position. He earned every penny of that contract. So, it’s hard not to notice the irony if Schoen turns around and gives a similar deal to Slayton, a wide receiver who’s nowhere near his level.
When you look at it like that, the math just doesn’t add up. Schoen chose not to pay a proven All-Pro in McKinney, and now, he’s supposed to pay nearly the same amount to a wide receiver who hasn’t been able to establish himself as a reliable option for the Giants? It’s a tough sell, especially when you consider all of the team’s roster needs.
Joe Schoen cannot shell out pricey contract for Darius Slayton
It’s hard to ignore the contrast here. Schoen passed on paying McKinney, a player who was just named first-team All-Pro and made an immediate impact with the Packers. Now, he’s potentially looking at paying Slayton a similar amount, despite the fact that Slayton has never posted a breakout season. His best year came in 2023, when he finished with 770 yards, but in 2024, his numbers dipped, and he ended up with just 573 yards and two touchdowns. That’s not exactly the kind of production you expect from a player with a $16 million price tag.
Look, Slayton has value. He’s been a reliable piece in the Giants' offense and locker room, but he’s not the player you lock in for that kind of money.
With the Giants still figuring out the quarterback situation and with other areas of the roster in need of improvement (spoiler alert—improvements are needed everywhere), it seems like a better move to look elsewhere for a cheaper and more reliable wide receiver.
Young talents like Malik Nabers, Wan'Dale Robinson, and even Jalin Hyatt could step up without the need for such a large investment in Slayton.
If Joe Schoen moves forward with signing Slayton to a $16 million deal, it’s going to be a tough sell for the fanbase. After letting Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney walk last year, Schoen will need to explain why he’s willing to pay a wide receiver who’s never been a true No. 2 the same amount he could’ve paid to an All-Pro running back and an All-Pro safety. The Giants need to be smarter with their decision-making this offseason. Re-signing Slayton would be a questionable move, especially with so many pressing needs on the roster.
Ultimately, letting Slayton walk and using the available resources more wisely seems like the best option for Schoen. The Giants need to focus on rebuilding and putting their money toward players who can make a true impact. The future of the offense, with Nabers and Robinson leading the charge, looks promising without overpaying for Slayton. Schoen can’t afford to make the same mistake twice.