The New York Giants cleared roughly $10 million in salary cap space by releasing longtime fan favorite Victor Cruz.
The 30-year Cruz joined the Giants as a free agent in 2010 and his game-breaking ability at wide receiver helped them win their second Super Bowl under Tom Coughlin. A knee injury and a calf problem caused him to missed most of the 2014 season and all of the following season. He made a remarkable return this past season but was limited to 39 catches and one touchdown, which was the only time he got to celebrate with his traditional salsa.
However, he was generally the third option for Eli Manning behind Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie Sterling Shepard.
Cruz had 303 catches for 4,549 yards and 25 touchdowns in his career. His receptions and yardage totals are 10th in Giants history, and his 25 touchdowns are 17th.
Not only did Cruz produce on the field, he was a leader on the team and a player that would tell it like it was for the media.
"Victor is one of the great stories of the National Football League," general manager Jerry Reese said. "He came in here and earned everything that he's gotten. It has been amazing to see him grow from an undrafted free agent to a Pro Bowl player and one of our go-to guys during the Super Bowl XLVI run. He will always be one of the great Giants."
Cruz, who grew up in nearby Paterson, made the Giants as a free agent out of Massachusetts in 2010, with an impressive training camp and three touchdown catches in a preseason game against the rival Jets.
"I did some great things there. There are so many experiences, times and moments that I shared in that building with that team in that jersey," Cruz said. "Those can't be replaced or forgotten."
"I think I have a lot of good football left ahead of me," Cruz said. "I think there is still a lot of miles left on this body. I'll definitely be searching and looking for work as the time comes."
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