The New York Giants are reportedly finalizing a four-year, $41 million contract extension with veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard.
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard has set his value ever since he was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Now, the former Oklahoma Sooner is getting what he deserves.
Per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Giants are finalizing a four-year contract extension with Shep. The deal is worth $41 million, which is more than what his newest teammate Golden Tate received from Big Blue.
Tate signed a four-year $37 million deal with the Giants in March.
Source: The #Giants are finalizing a four-year, $41 million extension with WR Sterling Shepard, source says. Their longest-tenured receiver is now their highest-paid. Strong deal for Shepard, who gets more than what most free agent WRs got this spring.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 10, 2019
Shepard’s contract details, per Spotrac, include $21,300,000 guaranteed. He’ll receive an annual average salary of $10,250,000.
He was due to be a free agent next offseason, as his rookie deal was initially for four years. The young receiver is now slated to be a Giant through at least the 2023 season.
Through 43-career games (all with the Giants), Shepard has caught 190 passes for 2,286 yards and 14 touchdowns. Shepard saw a career-high in receptions and receiving yards in 2018, with 66 catches for 872 yards through the air. They’re not Odell Beckham Jr. numbers, but Shepard has the skill set to start off 2019 on a high note while working towards becoming Eli Manning‘s new No. 1 target.
Shepard and Tate will complement each other for the Giants offense next season. Both possess great experience playing the slot and have had success doing so. With those two, wide receivers Corey Coleman and Russell Shepard, tight end Evan Engram, and running back Saquon Barkley, Manning will have a wide range of targets in 2019.
After trading Beckham to the Browns last March, this is a great move by the Giants to retain Shep. He’s worked well thus far in his career with Manning and shows he has the attributes to perform as a beneficial slot receiver and produce at a high rate near the goal line.
