The drama surrounding Hakeem Nicks is only just beginning. If 2013's offseason featured contract drama for the New York Giants, 2014 is going to be just as bad. The wide receiver's contract is just about ready to expire and after a lackluster season, negotiations for an extension could get ugly, if they happen at all. Right now, the team is keeping the receiver in a holding pattern.
While making an appearance at a school charity even in New York, Nicks confirmed (via the New York Post) that he and the Giants have met to begin negotiations on a possible contract extension, but things have not really gone well to start. He told the media that the first meeting offered up no sign of a resolution to his status for the upcoming season.
"I really don't know what to expect right now," Nicks said. "[The Giants said] there's some stuff going on as far as the coaching changes right now. So right now, we're just taking time to step away from it. When it's time to handle all that, it'll happen."
Nicks is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The former first-round draft pick has seen his stock with the Giants drop off considerably after injuries have plagued his last few seasons. In 2013, he failed to record a touchdown while the Giants offense sputtered every week while finishing 7-9 on the year.
Last offseason, Nicks held out for much OTAs as the team made Victor Cruz's contract a priority before his. This caused the receiver to miss valuable practice time with quarterback Eli Manning, something Cruz admitted hurt the offense significantly. It also did not put Nicks in the good graces of head coach Tom Coughlin which failed to change as the season went along.
Nicks may have trouble in free agency due to his lack of production and injuries. The receiver continues to stress that he would ideally like to remain with the New York Giants if at all possible. The Giants certainly have the option to apply the franchise tag to him, but with the emergence of Rueben Randle as a potential star, that might not be the road the Giants take.
"I understand the business side of things if it doesn't happen, but we all know this is where I want to be," Nicks said. "This is where I got drafted, I enjoy playing in New York, and I like it."
Nicks has spoken with Cruz about how to handle the process. Cruz told his teammate to be patient and let the business people take care of that matter.
