After seven seasons of adapting to new quarterbacks, coaches, losing seasons, playoff football and roster battles, Darius Slayton may be nearing the end of his New York Giants career.
The 29-year-old wide receiver is reportedly among the players the Giants are seriously considering releasing as they reduce their roster to 53 players before Sunday’s 6 p.m. ET deadline.
Darius Slayton’s Giants future in doubt
Slayton’s status became more uncertain after Friday night’s preseason finale against the New York Jets. While head coach John Harbaugh rested most players whose roster positions appeared secure, Slayton started and remained on the field well into the game.
He played 33 offensive snaps, including time after Jameis Winston was replaced by third-string quarterback Brandon Allen. Slayton finished the game without a reception or a target.
That outcome would have been difficult to predict last year, when Slayton signed a three-year, $36 million contract to remain with the Giants. However, the financial commitment may not protect him from being released.
Slayton is due more than $12 million in salary this season, including $9.75 million that is fully guaranteed. Releasing him would leave New York with approximately $12.75 million in dead money for 2026 while creating only about $3.2 million in cap space.
The receiver underwent sports hernia surgery after recording 37 catches in 14 games last season and has not consistently displayed his previous form this summer. He showed signs of improvement against Miami, catching four passes for 58 yards in a performance Harbaugh said he “needed to see.”
One week later, however, Slayton played extensively against the Jets and did not appear on the stat sheet.
Odell Beckham Jr. adds to crowded receiver competition
Odell Beckham Jr. also played 33 snaps against the Jets, but he caught three passes for 53 yards and strengthened his case to remain on the roster.
After the game, Harbaugh said Beckham had done enough to make “an NFL roster,” but he stopped short of guaranteeing that the roster would be New York’s.
The season-ending ACL injury suffered by Calvin Austin III created another opening in an increasingly complicated Giants wide receiver group. Even so, the roster change may not be enough to secure Slayton’s place.
The Giants selected Slayton in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He has since played 106 games and made 78 starts for New York, more than any other player currently on the roster. Yet less than 18 months after receiving a new three-year, $36 million contract, Slayton is waiting to learn whether his time with the Giants is over.
New York must make its decision by Sunday evening.
