At one time, victor cruz was a superstar wide receiver with the New York Giants. While playing at the top of his game, Cruz helped lead the Giants to a Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots and his salsa dance after every touchdown became an NFL highlight. Now, the Chicago Bears hope that they can see a few Cruz salsa dances themselves as they have added the former Giants star to a one-year contract for the 2017 NFL season.
Victor Cruz phased out in New York
Victor Cruz was the number one receiver with the New York Giants when they won their Super Bowl.
In his first three full seasons as a starter, Cruz, an undrafted free agent out of UMass, caught 241 passes for 3,626 yards and 23 touchdowns. However, in 20145, Cruz only played in six games after suffering a torn patellar tendon.
It took two years of rehab for Victor Cruz to return to the field and he missed the entire 2015 NFL season. In 2016, Cruz was relegated to a third receiver role behind New York Giants superstar Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie Sterling Shepard. Cruz caught 39 passes for 586 yards and one touchdown in 15 games.
In the offseason, the New York Giants added Brandon Marshall, who is still playing at a high level after 12 seasons in the NFL to play alongside Odell Beckham Jr.
and Sterling Shepard. With the addition of Marshall, there was no room left for Victor Cruz in New York.
Cruz and the Chicago Bears
While Victor Cruz has found a new team, it won't be anything like he remembers from the New York Giants. For one thing, instead of having a Pro Bowl quarterback like Eli Manning throwing him the ball, Cruz will catch passes from Chicago Bears rookie Mitchell Trubisky, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup Mike Glennon, or in the worst case scenario, from Mark Sanchez.
The contract is a one-year deal worth $2 million, all guaranteed. While Victor Cruz said he wanted to return to play with the New York Giants, he has to like the situation he is walking into with the Chicago Bears. While he won't have the Pro Bowl quarterback throwing him the ball, Cruz has a chance to immediately be a starter in Chicago.
Last year's top starter Alshon Jeffery left as a free agent and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Victor Cruz is joining a team that includes and injury-plagued first round pick from 2015 in Kevin White and an undrafted third-year receiver in Cameron Meredith. The Chicago Bears also added Kendall Wright, who was at one time a star with the Tennessee Titans to compete for the starting receiver position.
