Two of the Giants’ most important — if underperforming — offensive weapons praised fired offensive coordinator Jason Garrett on Friday, but running back Saquon Barkley and wide receiver Kenny Golladay discussed changes they are hoping to see or expecting beginning with Sunday’s game against the Eagles.
Golladay hasn’t scored a touchdown this season and has just 22 receptions on 34 targets in the seven games he’s played after signing a four-year deal worth $72 million via free agency.
“To be honest, just more opportunities, period. Any way I can help the team, that’s all I really want, so of course I would like more opportunities,” Golladay said. “To be honest, I’m just coming into it with an open mind and going into it like I go into every week.
“When the ball is coming to [No.] 19, I’ve just got to make the play. [I] hope for more opportunities of course, but when the ball comes to me, I’ve got to make it. Even if I don’t have a lot of opportunities, I’ve got to make the most of those opportunities.”
Asked if he’s been frustrated with a lack of targets in his first season with the Giants, the five-year NFL veteran replied: “I’m going to just keep that comment to myself.”
Barkley (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Eagles after getting 12 touches (six rushing attempts and six receptions) in Monday’s loss to Tampa Bay. He had missed the previous four games with a sprained ankle after appearing in each of the Giants’ first five contests following season-ending knee surgery in 2020.
Barkley, the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018, has totaled just 381 yards from scrimmage (220 rushing) over six appearances this season. He said the coaching staff has asked skill players for input into this week’s game plan, specifically which plays they like to run and which they think will offer the best chance to earn a win against Philadelphia.
“Obviously, you want the play calls to be designed to set you up and put you in the best position possible. But sometimes, it’s just the NFL, and those guys are good over there, too, and scheming up, too,” Barkley said. “Sometimes that’s just the way the game plays out.
“For me, and what I’m telling the guys, too, obviously it sucks that JG got fired, that he was let go. But it’s easy to point the finger. Sometimes you have to point the thumb [at yourself]. We have to realize we’re just as accountable. The reason why that decision was made was because we’re not scoring points or making plays, and at the end of the day, that’s on us, too.”
Golladay also said the players bear responsibility for Garrett’s ouster. Head coach Joe Judge still hasn’t declared whether he or interim offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens will call the majority of the plays against the Eagles.
“My mindset is just staying positive, to be honest. Excited for this weekend. Excited every weekend for a chance to play and be out there on the field. My mindset is just being positive,” Golladay said. “I really can’t speak for other guys. As far as myself, I loved Jason Garrett.
“Things I guess didn’t work out and we had to make a change. But Jason Garrett in my book, as a guy, I love the guy, to be honest … I feel like we’re going to still run the stuff that we know and do well. At this point, I think it’s just about getting the right guys in the right spots.”