The New York Giants have a tall task ahead of them heading into 2024. With Brian Daboll entering his third year as the team’s head coach, the Giants are expected to compete for the NFC crown.
It wont be easy in a division that includes the Dallas Cowboys (12-4) last season, the Philadelphia Eagles who have loaded up with talent in free agency and in the draft and the Washington Commanders who have cleaned house and will be taking the field with a dynamic dual-threat QB.
There was a belief the Giants would aggressively pursue a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, but instead, they opted to take Malik Nabers — the LSU dynamic pass catcher — regarded by many as the top receiver in this year’s class.
There’s’ some speculation the New York Giants plan to start Drew Lock over Daniel Jones — who the team just gave a significant extension to ahead of last season — but either way, they need a QB who can distribute the ball to his playmakers and not make mistakes to cost the team wins and losses.
The Giants no longer have the safety blanket of Saquon Barkley in the backfield, who served as a jack-of-all trades as a dynamic running threat and reliable option as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. They also aren’t sure whether tight end Darren Waller will be suiting up in 2024. The tight end has been contemplating retirement and has yet to make a decision.
Still, with Nabers and a core of wide receivers with various skill sets, the Giants have enough fire power on offense to move the ball as long as their quarterback — whoever it is — plays above average.
One of the biggest question marks of the offseason has surrounded WR Darius Slayton who has been linked to trade rumors as he seeks a new contract.
New York Giants WR Darius Slayton Breaks Silence On Trade Rumors Amidst Contract Dispute
Slayton skipped the start of volunteer workouts this offseason in search of a new contract.
While being honored for his work in the New York community during a Wednesday night event, Big Blue’s most productive receiver last season said that he hopes the situation is resolved soon.
“Right now, my agent (Michael Perrett) and (general manager) Joe (Schoen), they’re in negotiations. They’re talking,” Slayton said via ESPN. “Hopefully, we’ll come to a resolution here soon.”
Slayton inked a two-year, $12.2 million contract before the 2023 season. He’s due $6.2 million this season, some of which has already been paid in the form of a roster bonus.
After pacing the New York Giants with 50 catches for 774 yards last season — his fourth year in the past five seasons leading the club — Slayton wants a pay bump.
When it’s all said and done, the 27-year-old would “like to remain a Giant,” although he hasn’t officially closed the door on a potential trade.
General manager Joe Schoen has insisted Giants drafting Malik Nabers with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft didn’t affect Slayton’s situation. The rookie’s presence does, however, give New York a potent go-to playmaker it’s lacked.
The New York Giants’ WR room is currently pretty deep, with Nabers, Jalin Hyatt, Wan’Dale Robinson, Isaiah Hodgins, Isaiah McKenzie and Slayton at the top. Slayton’s speed is a needed element, but the addition of Nabers, along with the other recent early-round selections, could curtail the veteran’s production in 2024.
Darius Slayton is confident the situation won’t linger into training camp.
“I don’t think it will get to that point,” he said. “Like I said, it’s been good, constant communication throughout the whole process. It’ll be resolved soon.”
Slayton skipping voluntary workouts is a blip on the radar. The first real test is whether the wideout will opt to forgo mandatory minicamp — June 11-13 — and incur fines if a deal isn’t done.