NY Giants wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert will interview for the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive coordinator vacancy, the NFL Network reported Monday.
It is the sign of a healthy program when a team’s assistant coaches garner interest for promotions elsewhere, Tolbert is now the third member of Giants head coach Joe Judge’s staff to be linked to another job, following Bret Bielema’s hiring as Illinois’ head coach back in December.
Tolbert was hired by former NY Giants head coach Pat Shurmur in 2018, and retained by Judge upon his arrival last winter.
Darius Slayton, chosen by the NY Giants in the fifth-round of the 2019 NFL Draft, has become a standout under Tolbert’s tutelage, but the receiving corps as a group — Slayton included — struggled to find consistency throughout 2020.
Throughout the 2020 season, the Giants’ receivers often struggled to generate separation, which limited production as quarterback Daniel Jones regressed dramatically in his second NFL season.
The Giants’ top four receivers; Slayton, Sterling Shepard, and Golden Tate combined for just 238 receptions for 1,795 yards and eight touchdowns. Slayton accounted for a team-high 751 receiving yards.
In addition to Tolbert, NY Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett interviewed for the Los Angeles Chargers head coaching job, while defensive coordinator Patrick Graham was scheduled to interview for the Jets’ head coaching position before ultimately signing an extension to remain with the Giants.
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.