Cam Skattebo has signed his four-year, $5.271 million rookie contract, including a $1.1 million signing bonus, per @art_stapleton 🔱

Cam Skattebo has signed his four-year, $5.271 million rookie contract, including a $1.1 million signing bonus, per @art_stapleton 🔱

🖊️ The Deal: What Did Skattebo Sign?

Cam Skattebo, the New York Giants’ fourth‑round pick (105th overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft, officially signed his rookie contract on June 18, 2025, as reported by Art Stapleton via NorthJersey.com and confirmed by NBC Sports’ ProFootballTalk . Here’s how the structure breaks down:

Length: Four years (standard for all rookie deals outside of the first round)

Total value: $5.271 million

Signing bonus: $1.1 million

Fully guaranteed money: Conflicting reports — Spotrac lists $1.073 million guaranteed tied to the signing bonus ; Over The Cap frames guarantees differently, noting $0 fully guaranteed but outlining cash payout structure .

Despite slight variations, the general consensus is clear: a four‑year, ~$5.27 million deal featuring a little over $1.1 million upfront.

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💸 Cap & Payout Details

According to Over The Cap, Skattebo’s rookie deal carries a standard cap charge:

2025 base salary and cap hit: $840,000

Cap year percentage: Represents roughly 0.29% of New York’s salary cap

Cash payout in Year 1: $840,000

Over The Cap also notes his contract is valued around $5.273 million, with an average annual value (AAV) of approximately $1.318 million . Spotrac, on the other hand, reflects total value of $5,273,036 with a signing bonus roughly $1.073 million . Again, these small numerical discrepancies stem from rounding and differing accounting methods, but overall, they align in substance.

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🧠 Context in the Big Picture

Giant’s Draft Strategy

The Giants had several focus points in the 2025 draft, and selecting Skattebo at 105th overall played into a clear “value back” strategy. Giants.com’s Dan Salomone confirmed all rookies—including Skattebo—were signed following minicamp . The team emphasized depth at running back, pairing Skattebo with second-year pro Tyrone Tracy Jr., signaling a committee approach .

Why Skattebo?

Skattebo’s résumé entering the draft was impressive:

Finished 2024 with 1,711 rushing yards and 21 rushing TDs

Added 45 receptions for 605 yards and 3 receiving TDs in 13 games

While at Arizona State, he earned first‑team All‑Big 12 honors and played a central role as the Sun Devils made the College Football Playoff .

He began his collegiate career at Sacramento State before transferring to Arizona State in 2023. Skattebo’s size (5’11”, 215 lbs) and multi‑dimensional backfield skill set—pass protection, short‑yardage power, and pass catching—made him a desirable mid‑round pick .

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🤝 Guaranteed Money: What Does It Really Mean?

There’s some ambiguity regarding the guaranteed portion of the deal:

Spotrac’s version: Guarantees equal to the signing bonus—$1.073 million .

Over The Cap’s version: Lists “Fully Guaranteed Money: $0,” but notes early cash payouts total $840,000 in Year 1 .

The difference likely stems from how each site counts guarantee triggers—some consider only base salary guarantees; others count only up‑front money. For players, the real financial security lies in:

1. Signing bonus—if Skattebo doesn’t make the roster, he keeps it.

2. Early base salary guarantees—these could be vesting if he remains on the roster at certain dates.

Even a $1.073 million guaranteed is solid cushion for a fourth‑round pick, proving the organization’s mid‑round faith.

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🏋️ Salary Projection Across Four Years

Based on Over The Cap’s summary, the growth path likely resembles:

Year Base Salary Total Cap Hit

2025 $840,000 $840,000
2026‑2028 Step increases per rookie wage scale

With an AAV of ~$1.318 million, typical rookie contracts for 4th-rounders hover between $5–6 million, aligning with Skattebo’s deal . The Year 1 cap impact is modest, leaving flexibility for the Giants to invest elsewhere.

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🏃‍♂️ On-Field Fit & Expectations

Skattebo enters a Giants system planning to use a two‑back committee:

Tyrone Tracy Jr. returns as the lead back, with Skattebo poised for roles in both rotating and situational capacity .

Early practices in minicamp showed Skattebo stretching but holding off on engaging fully in team drills—possibly easing a rookie adjustment .

What to watch:

Playing time split: Will the Giants lean heavy on Skattebo in short yardage, in open space, or even in passing downs?

Development path: Making active roster and earning early reps will be crucial for vesting salary guarantees and proving long‑term value.

Durability: Running backs often face durability concerns—Skattebo will need to stay healthy and productive.

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🔎 Comparisons & Market Context

For mid‑round backs like Skattebo, contracts tend to follow this mold:

4th‑round picks: $4–6 million total, signing bonuses of $800k–1.5M

First‑round picks receive major guaranteed money; later rounds less so.

Skattebo’s contract:

Total: $5.27M

Signing bonus: $1.1M

Cap hit: $840k in 2025
This aligns perfectly with slot expectations and reflects his draft position and projected impact.

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🧩 Bigger Picture for the Giants

Cap flexibility: His low Year 1 cap number lets the Giants invest in higher-value free agents and draft picks.

Roster building: By filling RB depth cheaply, the team addresses need without tying up premium cap dollars.

Player development: If Skattebo outperforms his draft position, the financial terms give the team a bargain; if he underperforms, the minimal guarantees pave the way for an easy off‑ramp.

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📅 Timeline & Next Milestones

June 18, 2025: Official signing

Minicamp and OTAs: Evaluating Skattebo’s integration and readiness

Training camp (July/August): Key for backup vs. special teams role. A strong camp could secure reps, and vest extra salary payment.

Regular season: Early-season snaps will test whether the Giants’ investment turns into production.

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🔚 Final Take

Cam Skattebo’s rookie contract is textbook for a 4th-round weapon:

Four years, $5.27 million total, with $1.1 million signing upfront

Year 1 cap hit at $840k, offering roster and cap flexibility

Positioned in a shared backfield, he’ll need to carve out role in a pace‑driven RB rotation

The numbers reflect the league’s rookie wage scale, known constraints, and positional risk. For Skattebo, this contract is both opportunity and challenge—prove his worth to secure his roster ride, gains, and future dividends.

For the Giants, it’s a low-risk, high-reward move. If Skattebo meets or exceeds expectations, they’ll have unearthed a cost-effective weapon. If not, they can move on easily—minimal cap drag, straightforward cutdown potential.

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With this solid financial foundation and clear developmental opportunity, all eyes will be on Skattebo this summer. The coming months will determine if those $5.27 million convert into touchdowns, yards, and genuine value in the Giants backfield.

Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of his college tape, how this compares to specific peers, or what roster moves Giants might make around him.