Giants on its way to seal deal with Shepard to 4-years for $41M

The New York Giants are finalizing a four-year, $41 million contract extension with wide receiver Sterling Shepard on Wednesday, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. The deal included $21.3 million in guaranteed money, ESPN's Adam Schefter later reported.

Shepard, a second-round pick out of Oklahoma in 2016, set career highs last season with 66 catches for 872 yards. He has started 42 of his 43 games with the Giants, catching 190 passes for 2,286 yards and 14 touchdowns. Shepard should be in line for a bigger role in the New York offense following the offseason trade of Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns.

Shepard is the first player from the 2016 draft class to receive a contract extension, according to Field Yates of ESPN. The Giants re-signed their other wide receiver named Shepard to a one-year deal Wednesday, according to multiple reports.

The 28-year-old Russell Shepard (no relation to Sterling) confirmed the news on social media. He appeared in 12 games in his first season with the Giants in 2018, playing primarily on special teams and catching 10 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns. He has 57 catches for 822 yards and six scores in 84 career games.