For a guy who seemingly is always headed out the door, Darius Slayton has a way of never leaving.
It appears that Once a Giant, Always a Giant has a ring to it where Slayton is concerned.
The veteran wide receiver is returning to the team that has used him — and at times, underutilized him — for the past six years.
Slayton, 28, is staying with the Giants, agreeing to terms on Monday to a three-year deal worth $36 million, by far the biggest payday of his career.
Just like that, one of the most popular and classy players the Giants have had in their building the past few years is back with the team that made him a fifth-round pick in 2019.
He came in with Daniel Jones and has outlived his former quarterback, in terms of his staying power with the Giants.
It was expected that Slayton would receive offers from around the league such as the one he received from the Giants, and that he might be willing to finally cut ties, considering how heavily last season’s 3-14 season weighed on him.
At one point, after another feeble offensive showing led to another defeat, Slayton slumped in front of his locker and declared, “It’s exhausting.”
Clearly, the Giants believe getting Slayton an upgrade at quarterback will help his production.
He had a career-low 39 receptions in 2024 and only two touchdowns.
Before that, in four of his five years with the Giants, he caught between 46 and 50 passes for between 724 and 770 yards.
He is a consistent deep threat and the Brian Daboll coaching staff grew to appreciate what he contributes, on the field and off it, after initially putting Slayton on the bench in 2022.
The Giants took note of the Week 5 game that Malik Nabers missed with a concussion.
Slayton caught eight passes for 122 yards and a touchdown in a victory over the Seahawks in Seattle.
The Giants move forward with their three top targets in the passing game: Nabers and Slayton on the outside and Wan’Dale Robinson in the slot.
Slayton in 2024 was voted winner of the George Young/Ernie Accorsi Good Guy award for his cooperation with the writers who cover the Giants.
Slayton was the Giants’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, and he is often a voice of reason when things are going sideways.
Now he gets to stay, with a new quarterback, to see if he can be part of the solution.
