The New York Giants are no strangers to drama, but Malik Nabers’ postgame comments after Sunday’s 30-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have thrown gasoline on an already raging fire. The rookie wide receiver, one of the team’s few bright spots in an otherwise dismal 2024 season, didn’t hold back when addressing his lack of involvement in the first half of the game.
When asked why he didn’t record a catch until the second half, Nabers had a pointed response: “Talk to Dabs about that.” His frustrations didn’t stop there, adding, “I started getting the ball when it’s 30-0. What do you want me to do?”
These remarks have sparked comparisons to another Giants receiver known for his outspoken nature, Odell Beckham Jr. Unfortunately, fans aren’t making the connection because of Nabers’ playmaking ability but because of his willingness to call out the coaching staff publicly.
How will Malik Nabers handle the media as the NY Giants season falls apart?
Nabers' comments reveal a widening divide between the players and the coaching staff, reminiscent of Odell Beckham Jr.'s time with the New York Giants. Beckham's career in New York was marked by incredible plays and notorious sideline outbursts, ultimately culminating in a tumultuous breakup with the team. Now, fans are left wondering if Nabers is on a similar trajectory.
The frustration is understandable. Nabers, the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has been everything the Giants hoped for on the field.
Despite the chaos surrounding him, he’s managed 67 catches for 671 yards and three touchdowns in his rookie season. Yet, for a player of his caliber to be essentially invisible for an entire half (especially in a blowout loss) raises legitimate questions about the team’s offensive strategy.
OBJ 2.0 https://t.co/BwRhtVtsZK
— Zuka (@ZukJets) November 24, 2024
Instead of utilizing their most dynamic weapon early, Big Blue waited until the outcome was all but decided to get Nabers involved. That mismanagement is bound to wear on a player, particularly one as competitive as Nabers. His comments, while blunt, reflect a growing impatience with an organization that seems stuck in a perpetual rebuild.
The comparisons to OBJ aren’t entirely unwarranted. Like Beckham, Nabers has shown an immense passion for the game and an unwillingness to accept mediocrity. Beckham famously clashed with the Giants’ coaching staff over their inability to build a winning team around him.
Nabers’ frustration seems to stem from a similar place: a lack of faith in the team’s direction.
The Giants are facing a troubling trend. They have experienced the consequences of mishandling a star wide receiver in the past, and Nabers’ growing frustration may indicate a potential repeat of that situation. The last thing New York needs is to alienate a key player during yet another rebuild.
To avoid a situation like the one with Odell Beckham Jr. concerning Nabers, the Giants need to address his concerns. This starts with enhancing game planning and making sure their star rookie feels valued as an essential part of the team's future.
If not, fans might actually start to refer to Nabers as “OBJ 2.0” solely for negative reasons.