Even though the New York Giants are sitting at 3-1 and Malik Nabers just had his best game of the season, he still isn't satisfied. And while you can say that's the killer instinct that makes him one of the best young receivers in football, it's also why he's one of the bigger divas at a position known for producing drama.
Giants fans are well-versed in dealing with big personalities out wide, as Odell Beckham Jr. was far from drama-free back in his prime in New York. There might be something in the water in Baton Rouge, as Nabers is giving the Giants a similar headache as his fellow ex-LSU Tiger.
As I mentioned, in the 36-24 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4, the third-year WR recorded his highest single-game receiving total in 2026--and picked up his first 100-yard game, as he hauled in six passes (tying his season high) for 112 yards and found the end zone for the first time all season.
However, Nabers doesn't seem to be encouraged by that newfound usage. He was targeted just seven times in the game, and Jameis Winston wasn't looking his way much in the second half. While addressing the media, the wideout expressed frustration at having just one catch for 28 yards across the final 30 minutes.
"I felt like I didn't get targeted much after halftime," Nabers said. "So, that was just a thing. It's just ... I felt like creating explosives down the field was just helping us get in a better position to score touchdowns. Some of those plays didn't come my way, so just trying to figure out why."
For a lot of longtime fans, this self-centeredness is giving them nightmares of watching OBJ fight kicking nets and complain to the media--especially now that he's busy besmirching John Harbaugh to begin his time in Minnesota.
Maybe Malik Nabers did learn a thing or two from Odell Beckham Jr.'s Giants tenure
While his frustration is somewhat understandable given it was a close game, the Giants' second-half approach focused on running the ball to drain the clock.
Besides, why would Matt Nagy want to intentionally dial up more plays to air the ball out, knowing who he's starting at QB? The Jameis Winston Experience is in full force right now, and they didn't need to put the ball in harm's way any more than Jameis already would. He's plenty turnover-prone as it is.
You'd think Nabers would understand and be happy with the win as a consummate professional, because that's what matters. Big Blue is atop the NFC East, and since he'll be eligible for a contract extension after the season, the Pro Bowl WR should want to make a good impression on ownership and prove he deserves market-altering money.
You want to extend players who will correctly represent the franchise in every aspect — and the 23-year-old doesn't seem ready to put this franchise on his shoulders yet. And perhaps that will come with time, but quotes like this don't have John Mara chomping at the bit to pay him.
Just like a young Odell Beckham Jr., Malik Nabers is displaying a level of entitlement that should make the Giants worry despite his obvious game-changing talent.
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