Wide receiver believes there will be “a lot of interest” in his services
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the New York Giants are faced with critical decisions—not just about new additions, but also about the future of key players already on the roster. One of those players is wide receiver Darius Slayton, who made it clear that winning is his top priority as he considers his future in the league.
Slayton, 28, recently opened up about his mindset in an interview on The Talkin’ Ball with Pat Leonard podcast, expressing frustration with the Giants’ lack of success in recent years.
“Definitely, winning and being in an advantageous situation are probably two things that are really important for me right now,” Slayton told The Daily News. “Obviously, five out of my six years with the Giants we weren’t competitive. We didn’t make the playoffs. We weren’t really close to making the playoffs.
“And one thing I’ve learned in my career is … You play with guys that have [the attitude of] ‘If I go off and I get paid, I sleep great at night,’” Slayton continued. “And I have learned over my career that I do want to go off and I do want to get paid. But it weighs on me so heavy just losing. Every. Single. Week. I can’t take [it]. Like, there’s no money that’s gonna make me just go home and be like — I’m obviously gonna be a little more happy in my Hellcat than in a Camry — but like my spirit, the core of me cannot take that.”
Since being drafted in the fifth round by the Giants in 2019, Slayton has been one of the team’s most consistent offensive weapons, even amid coaching changes, quarterback struggles, and front office turnover. However, his frustration is understandable, given that New York has only made one playoff appearance in his tenure.
Slayton, who led the Giants in receiving yards four times in six seasons, expects to find a robust market in free agency.
“This receiver free agency class is very unique, and fortunately for me, I am in a niche spot of my ability combined with where I’m at in my career that makes me fairly valuable at this point in comparison to some of the other guys,” Slayton said.
“When you look at that, my ability to stretch the field becomes more valuable because that leads to shorter drives, one-play touchdowns. You need chunk plays to score in this league,” Slayton said. “We know we have a lot of interest out there. And when free agency opens up, we’ll have a lot of different conversations to have with a lot of different people.”
