NFL

Cruz, Giants contract talks on ‘2-yard line:’ source

JUST A STEP OR TWO AWAY: Victor Cruz does his salsa dance at the BTIG Commissions for Charity Day event as teammate Justin Tuck (second from right) and Yankee Mark Teixeira (red shirt) and BTIG co-founder Steve Starker (left) look on. A source said Cruz and the Giants are close to an agreement on a new contract. (UPI)

Victor Cruz has come a long way in his short NFL career. Soon his ascension to the role of one of the best deep threat wide receivers in the league will be rewarded by the Giants.

A source told The Post Cruz and the Giants “are on the 2-yard line” in successfully completing their lengthy negotiation on a new long-term contract.

“Both sides just need to give a little bit,’’ the source said. “But it’s going to happen.’’

Cruz, who was refrained from talking publicly about his thoughts and feelings throughout the process, yesterday offered The Post his first hints that his dream of remaining in New York is close to fruition.

“In a perfect world, I want to finish my career here,’’ Cruz told The Post in an exclusive interview. “I’m from here, born and raised in New Jersey. I wouldn’t want to play anywhere else. But I understand it’s a business and all of that. In a perfect world, this is where I’d like to be.’’

Asked if a deal with the Giants is close, Cruz said, “I’d rather not answer any type of questions now, but it’s moving.’’

Is he cautiously optimistic?

“It’s moving,’’ he said with a smile.

Cruz was the most sought after celebrity yesterday at BTIG’s 11th annual Commission for Charity Day, an event that has raised more than $21 million for more than 350 non-profit organizations around the world.

Celebrities such as Miss America Mallory Hagan, Yankees star Mariano Rivera and Jets coach Rex Ryan were at BTIG’s midtown office, but Cruz was the most requested celebrity by traders around the country. He was on the phone when BTIG broke the 100 million shares traded barrier.

“To be at this point in my life, and to just have my presence be able to help so many kids and adults and help people in general, it’s a dream come true,’’ Cruz said. “I couldn’t ask for anything more.’’

Cruz is looking for more — a new deal, one most football fans and experts believe he has earned by making 168 catches for 2,627 yards and 19 touchdowns in the past two seasons.

A restricted free agent, he did not receive an offer from another team, which would have been required to compensate the Giants with a first-round draft pick. Cruz could sign a one-year tender offer for $2.87 million and gamble on free agency after the 2013 season, if a long-term deal is not reached.

There are a bevy of receivers around the league — DeSean Jackson, Vincent Jackson, Dwayne Bowe — who average $10 million a year and have been less productive in the past two seasons than Cruz.

But there is tremendous upside for other revenue streams by staying in New York and playing for a franchise as respected as the Giants. Cruz knows what wearing that jersey means.

“It means a lot,’’ he said. “Because it’s not just football. It’s not just going out there and playing on Sundays. It’s about how you carry yourself outside of that. How people look at you throughout your life and throughout your day-to-day as you walk through these New York City streets.’’

There have been reports the Giants offered Cruz a multi-year deal that would pay the 26-year-old New Jersey native about $7 million annually. A lot of the money would be guaranteed.

Cruz said the Giants have not asked him not to discuss the negotiations. This is a decision he made. He has hired noted agent Tom Condon, who also represents star quarterback Eli Manning. Cruz said he believes both sides want a happy resolution, one that could end with this dream scenario: Cruz and the Giants playing in the Super Bowl in MetLife Stadium.

“I think everything is in place,’’ he said. “As long as Eli Manning is at the helm, we understand the responsibility that is asked out of each and every one of us and everyone’s held accountable.

“If every athlete and player does his due diligence to be prepared each and every week, I think we have a good team around us to get the job done.’’

Cruz said he will use the proceeds from yesterday’s charity day to benefit the Victor Cruz Foundation. Cruz wants to encourage youngsters to embrace STEM (science, technology, education, math) as they do sports.