New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers returned in Week 7 after missing two games with a concussion. However, the rookie sensation was held to a quiet four-reception, 41-yard line in the Giants’ 28-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Afterward, Nabers had some pointed opinions about his performance.
Malik Nabers Has Explanation for Quiet Game
Nabers was asked in a postgame locker room interview about whether the Eagles’ defense did anything differently to slow him down. The Giants’ top wideout had a simple explanation instead.
Malik Nabers was asked if the Eagles' defense did anything differently in the first half that he hadn't seen on film:
"Watch the target tape. That was it. I was open." pic.twitter.com/QEVtCBzNBE
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) October 21, 2024
Nabers set season lows in both receptions and receiving yards, so the frustration is understandable. The rookie entered the game with a 34.7% target rate, the highest of any player to play at least three games this season. However, his 21.1% target rate was his lowest since his career debut back in Week 1.
The Eagles have been a leaky defense this season, so Nabers likely expected a much stronger game in his return from concussion protocol. But the rookie is far from the biggest problem in the Giants’ abysmal offense.
Nabers’ Frustration the Latest Problem for Giants’ Offense
As talented as Nabers is, it’s impossible for any player to produce in the non-functional environment that the Giants’ offense has become. After Sunday’s clunker, New York’s offense ranks:
- 30th in points per game (14.1)
- 29th in yards per play (4.5)
- 25th in EPA per play (-0.12)
- 22nd in success rate (38%)
Any way you slice it, this is one of the league’s worst offenses yet again. Brian Daboll noted that he benched Daniel Jones for Drew Lock early in the fourth quarter in an attempt to spark the offense, but that effort failed miserably. Still, Daboll recommitted to Jones as the team’s starting quarterback moving forward.
Brian Daboll said he got outcoached and Daniel Jones is the QB next week #Giants pic.twitter.com/xl0FmHUvtn
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) October 20, 2024
Jones is on a historically dubious streak of inept production at home. He’s gone six straight starts without a touchdown pass at home, the longest streak by any QB since Trent Dilfer from 1995-96. In those home games, the Giants have had 68 drives…and scored one touchdown (a Tyrone Tracy Jr. rushing touchdown last week vs. the Cincinnati Bengals).
Daboll’s seat is surely growing warmer as the Giants continue to flail, but any changes are unlikely to change this year’s product. New York is 2-5 after Sunday’s loss and at least two losses behind every other team in the NFC East. The Giants are likely headed for a losing record for the seventh time in the last eight years.
Lock’s entry into the game could be a precursor to this season’s endgame. Jones has no guaranteed money on his contract after this season, meaning the Giants could cut him as long as he’s not injured (which would trigger money guaranteed for injury) and absorb a $22.2M dead cap hit in 2025.
That feels like the likeliest scenario if the Giants don’t start winning soon. Jones would likely lose his job to preserve New York’s ability to cut him, and Daboll’s exit would likely follow as the Giants look to reboot with a new QB-coach duo. Barring a historic turnaround, it’s just about mock draft season in East Rutherford.