Victor Cruz was back in New Jersey on Wednesday, working with many of the same children with whom he has spent previous summers.

To so many of the kids at the Victor Cruz Foundation Football Exhibition and Skills Challenge, at Union City High School, the Paterson, N.J., native remains a local hero, even if he’s no longer with the hometown team.

Even if it still seems impossible for many to imagine the receiver in anything but blue.

“The [kids are] like, ‘Why’d you leave, man?’” said Cruz, who signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears on May 25, after being cut by the Giants in February. “I was like, ‘I wish it was my choice. It wasn’t up to me.’ … I’m getting half ‘why’d you leave?’ and half ‘how’s Chicago?’ So, I’ll take it.”

As recently as last month, Cruz wasn’t taking his release so well, having accused the Giants of purposefully not giving him the ball when he was open last season to keep his statistics down so the organization wouldn’t be criticized when they cut the 30-year-old, which saved the team $7.5 million against the salary cap.

Playing in his first full season since 2013, the oft-injured receiver made 39 catches for 586 yards and one touchdown last year. Cruz caught an average of 80 passes for 1,209 yards in his first three seasons (2011-13), but that came before his numerous injuries, as well as the arrival of Odell Beckham Jr.

Cruz opted against expounding on his conspiracy theory Wednesday, and said he hasn’t talked with anyone in the Giants organization — other than former teammates — since making his comments. The Giants denied any plot against Cruz.

“I don’t know what their plans [were],” Cruz said in reference to Giants management. “I don’t know what they think about upstairs.

“I haven’t had any conversations with anyone. Everyone’s underway with their programs. … No one has time to handle issues and for me to call, and all those things. Just turn the page and move on.”

Having spent his entire career with the Giants, Cruz found the first few pages of the next chapter strange.

“When you spend so much time with one organization, going to a new one is a little bit of a culture shock,” Cruz said. “Just coming into a new locker room, colors are different, you’re just like, ‘Hold up, what is this?’ But you start to kind of settle in and get into a groove, and I think that’s where I was at right before our mini-camp closed. I was getting into a groove with my teammates and the playbook and route-running. It was a good feeling.”

Physically, Cruz feels just as well, and is excited to be playing predominantly in the slot again. Back in his familiar role, the undrafted receiver expects to surprise the league again.

“Even after a Super Bowl, or after an injury-riddled two years, I always feel like I’ve got something to prove … because I do,” Cruz said. “You’re only as good as your last catch, your last game, your last year of production. That’s what they categorize you as, whatever you’ve last shown on that field.

“I’m excited for that opportunity.”