Free-agent wide receiver Victor Cruz continues to train as he looks to keep his playing career alive. However, he has set an undisclosed later date this year to retire if he remains unsigned. Cruz was cut by the Bears last summer and did not play at all in 2017. "I just love the game. I think I can still play," Cruz said Tuesday at the BTIG Charity Day event in Manhattan, where he participated for his Victor Cruz Foundation. "I don't want to exhaust all of that before I fall off." The salsa dancer hasn't been the same since tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee in 2014, and he's unlikely to find a legitimate offer from a team this summer.
Victor Cruz is expected to be released by the Bears when they announce their 53-man roster on Saturday, per chicagotribune.com. Cruz came into camp as a veteran whose experience was supposed to be invaluable to a young group of receivers. But he failed to make an impression during training camp and a couple of key drops in preseason play doomed Cruz. It is quite possible this could be the end of the line for a player who dazzled fantasy football fans with touchdowns and salsa dances from 2011-13.
Victor Cruz may be the odd man out among the Bears receiving corps, per chicagotribune.com. Two untimely drops have plagued the veteran receiver's preseason performance and he simply hasn't made enough plays during the course of training camp. The Bears are certain to keep Kevin White, Kendall Wright, Markus Wheaton and plan to deploy tight end Zach Miller as a wideout at times. With special team players Josh Bellamy and Deonte Thompson carving out roles the prospects are looking slim for Cruz. On top of that, un-drafted rookie receiver Tanner Gentry has been the best pass catcher in camp. All this points to Cruz' time with the Bears may be coming to an end.
Victor Cruz is chomping at the bit for more opportunities on the field, per espn.com. Coach John Fox told reporters that the coaching staff is looking for improvement from the entire wide receiver core and Cruz is at the center of that. Cruz had his snap count cut significantly in the second preseason game but Fox chalked that up to the team looking at other guys. But the Bears will need veterans like Cruz and Kendall Wright to step up and make some plays this season. Cameron Meredith is still on the rise and free agent signee Markus Wheaton has barely practiced after undergoing an appendectomy and then breaking his pinkie finger. In the first preseason game Cruz caught two red zone passes, one of them for touchdowns. The wide receivers on the Bears simply need to step up as the season approaches.
Victor Cruz caught only three passes for 11 yards but had an active debut for the Bears in their first preseason game of the season. Cruz caught a 2-yard touchdown reception from rookie Mitch Trubisky and caught another pass just outside of the end zone later in the fourth quarter. The stats could have been better had he not dropped a pass up the middle from Trubisky that easily would have been a first down or more. The veteran receiver is in a competition to make the team among pass catchers like Rueben Randle, Kendall Wright and others but took a strong step towards solidifying a roster spot. Barring injury, the Bears would be better off with Cruz this season than without.
Victor Cruz Has Early Lead In Receiver Competition
Victor Cruz is demonstrating veteran leadership in the Bears locker room early in training camp, per chicagotribune.com. The Bears have a large pool of receivers to choose from between Markus Wheaton, Cameron Meredith, Kevin White, Reuben Randle, Kendall Wright and Cruz. But Cruz is already making strides not just in the locker room but on the field. Receivers seem to be gravitating towards him for advice and, health, provided, has an early lead to earn a spot as a slot receiver on the team. Wheaton is still recovering from an appendectomy so Cruz certainly will be battling Wright for perhaps the final wide receiver spot on the team.
Free-agent wide receiver Victor Cruz will visit with the Chicago Bears on Monday, according to sources. After releasing Eddie Royal Thursday, Chicago is looking for some receiving depth behind Kevin White, Cameron Meredith, Kendall Wright and Markus Wheaton, and Cruz could fit the bill. However, after catching just 39 passes for 586 yards and a single touchdown in 2016, Cruz likely doesn't have much left and could face an uphill battle to make the roster.
The Baltimore Ravens and free-agent wide receiver Victor Cruz have mutual interest, according to sources. Both sides are working out details for a potential visit. Baltimore makes plenty of sense after they lost Kamar Aiken to free agency and Steve Smith to retirement this offseason. Cruz, however, is unlikely to make much of an impact in the passing game after he scored just two touchdowns in the last two years combined. He's clearly lost a step and fails to gain separation from defenders in the slot anymore. Cruz shouldn't be on anyone's fantasy radar, even if he lands in Baltimore.
Free-agent wide receiver Victor Cruz is scheduled to visit with the Jacksonville Jaguars May 23. The veteran wideout had a visit with the Panthers that amounted to nothing shortly after the Giants released him, and he hasn't had any interest since. Cruz managed just 39 receptions for 586 yards and one touchdown in 2016 and clearly lost a few steps as he ages. The Jags would be an odd fit, as Cruz would be fighting for a No. 4 receiving spot, at best.
Free-agent wide receiver Victor Cruz is unlikely to continue his playing career, according to a scout. The 30-year-old veteran was just released by the New York Giants after struggling with 39 catches for 586 yards and one touchdown in 2016. He just hasn't been the same since his patellar tear in 2014 and doesn't have the speed to consistently beat defenders in the slot or on the outside. If he does keep playing, he's highly unlikely to bounce back and be on anyone's fantasy radar.
