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Victor Cruz Turned a 145-Yard Preseason Game Into a $43 Million Contract Extension
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- Victor Cruz Turned a 145-Yard Preseason Game Into a $43 Million Contract Extension
Victor Cruz was preparing for a chance to play professional football when the 2010 NFL Draft came and went without his name being called . The wide receiver from the University of Massachusetts had to find another route into the league.
The New York Giants gave him that opportunity as an undrafted free agent. His first big moment arrived during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Aug. 16, 2010, when he caught six passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns. The performance helped put him on the map .
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Cruz made the Giants' roster and quickly became a fan favorite . In 2011, he delivered a breakout season, recording 1,536 receiving yards and helping New York reach the playoffs. His salsa celebration after touchdowns became one of the most recognizable sights in the NFL.
The Giants went on to win Super Bowl XLVI, defeating the New England Patriots. Cruz was an important part of that championship run, giving the team a dynamic option alongside its established receiving corps.
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
By the summer of 2013, his path from overlooked prospect to established star had brought a major reward. The Giants signed Cruz to a five-year, $43 million contract extension, with $15.6 million guaranteed. The deal reflected the value he had built since arriving without a draft selection.
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Cruz's journey was a reminder that a player's draft position does not always determine his future. A single preseason performance opened the door, but his production and role in a championship team helped turn that opportunity into a long-term career.
His rise also gave the Giants a memorable story from the early 2010s: a local receiver who had gone undrafted became one of the franchise's defining offensive players. Cruz's path from being overlooked in the draft to a multimillion-dollar extension remains a standout example of an unexpected NFL breakthrough.
The Giants' official retrospective revisits the preseason performance that helped launch his career. The 2010 NFL Draft facts and Sports Illustrated's contract coverage offer additional context for his rise.
This story was originally published by Athlon on Nov 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
