Former New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz made some headlines on Tuesday by announcing his retirement from the NFL. Cruz will join ESPN as an NFL analyst, as the 31-year-old announced the news through a video via UNINTERRUPTED. He explained it by saying "as I close one chapter of my life, I open another."
Cruz's biggest years came from 2011 to 2013 with the Giants, as he caught 241 passes for 3,626 yards and 23 touchdowns. He led the charge in the 2011 playoffs with 21 receptions for 269 yards in four games. That included a key touchdown catch in that year's Super Bowl, which was a 21-17 Giants' victory over the New England Patriots.
Cruz did tie an NFL record in that 2011 season by recording a 99-yard touchdown catch against the New York Jets, which ties the longest in NFL history. Injuries played a role in his career going on the decline, which included a torn patellar tendon in October of 2014. He was held to just 39 catches for 586 yards and one touchdown in 2016.
Meanwhile, one receiver that is still in the game and got extended on Tuesday is Rishard Matthews of the Tennessee Titans. Matthews' new deal is a one-year extension, which keeps him with the team through the 2019 season. He joins Taylor Lewan and Delanie Walker as players on the roster who have reached new deals.
He is expected to make up to $11 million through 2019 with roster bonuses and incentives. He is currently on the PUP list, but the injury is nothing serious. Matthews was set to be a free agent at season's end, but this new deal now includes a team option for the 2019 season. The Titans will have until up to the third to final day of the 2018 season to make their decision on that.
The receiver has yet to practice in training camp this year, and when asked why, head coach Mike Vrabel says that he simply isn't ready.
Cruz's biggest years came from 2011 to 2013 with the Giants, as he caught 241 passes for 3,626 yards and 23 touchdowns. He led the charge in the 2011 playoffs with 21 receptions for 269 yards in four games. That included a key touchdown catch in that year's Super Bowl, which was a 21-17 Giants' victory over the New England Patriots.
Cruz did tie an NFL record in that 2011 season by recording a 99-yard touchdown catch against the New York Jets, which ties the longest in NFL history. Injuries played a role in his career going on the decline, which included a torn patellar tendon in October of 2014. He was held to just 39 catches for 586 yards and one touchdown in 2016.
Meanwhile, one receiver that is still in the game and got extended on Tuesday is Rishard Matthews of the Tennessee Titans. Matthews' new deal is a one-year extension, which keeps him with the team through the 2019 season. He joins Taylor Lewan and Delanie Walker as players on the roster who have reached new deals.
He is expected to make up to $11 million through 2019 with roster bonuses and incentives. He is currently on the PUP list, but the injury is nothing serious. Matthews was set to be a free agent at season's end, but this new deal now includes a team option for the 2019 season. The Titans will have until up to the third to final day of the 2018 season to make their decision on that.
The receiver has yet to practice in training camp this year, and when asked why, head coach Mike Vrabel says that he simply isn't ready.
