Entering Year 7, Slayton leans on leadership, chemistry with Russell Wilson, and unfinished business in New York
After six seasons, multiple coaching staffs, quarterback changes, and his own share of highs and lows, Darius Slayton remains one of the last constants in the New York Giants’ locker room. As training camp opens in 2025, the veteran wide receiver is back in blue with a new quarterback under center and the same hunger to help turn the franchise around.
“It’s been fun so far,” Slayton said of camp. “Obviously, I don’t want to see any team in the league succeed more than I want to see the Giants. Most of my adult life has been invested in New Jersey and the New York area. It’d be huge to win here.”
Slayton’s career has been marked by quiet consistency. A fifth-round pick in 2019, he’s surpassed 700 yards in four seasons, all while surviving offensive coordinator changes, shaky quarterback play, and roster turnover. He and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence now stand as the two longest-tenured Giants, and neither has hit 30.
His numbers dipped in 2024, with the arrival of Malik Nabers shifting the receiving hierarchy. But Slayton still hauled in 39 catches for 573 yards and remains one of the Giants’ most trusted voices — on and off the field.
Slayton is also now catching passes from Russell Wilson, the nine-time Pro Bowler tasked with injecting life into a unit that ranked 31st in scoring last season. And so far, Slayton’s impressed with the early rhythm.
“It’s been nice having [Wilson] around,” Slayton said. “He’s been playing football for a long time. He knows what works, and that brings clarity to all of us.”
Slayton’s speed and ability to stretch the field should pair well with Wilson’s deep ball. But beyond the on-field chemistry, he’s also helping bridge the gap between Wilson and the locker room.
“They’ve played more football than me,” Slayton joked of Wilson and Jameis Winston. “But they haven’t played more Giant football than me.”
Despite testing the waters in free agency, Slayton re-signed with the Giants on a three-year, $36 million deal with $22 million guaranteed a sign of mutual belief.
“I ended up back with the Giants, and I was happy with that decision,” he said.
His motivation goes beyond a paycheck. After years of rebuilding and disappointment, Slayton sees the pieces coming together — from a revamped quarterback room to a deeper, more versatile offense featuring Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, and a stable of dynamic running backs.
“Multifaceted,” Slayton said of the unit. “We’ve got people that go get the football, create after the catch, and stretch the field. I think we’ve got a well-rounded group.”
Slayton’s perspective shaped by being a late-round pick, a go-to target, a depth piece, and now a veteran leader allows him to connect with nearly anyone in the room. And in a league full of turnover, his steady presence carries weight.
“I’m in a position now where there’s nobody I can’t relate to,” he said. “I know what it’s like to be the guy with 10-plus targets, and I know what it’s like to fight for a spot.”
That mindset one of perseverance, leadership, and team-first energy is exactly what the Giants need heading into a pivotal season.
“I pride myself on consistency,” Slayton said. “And I’ll continue to do that. I want to be part of the solution here.”
