In Sunday’s 22-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay made a spectacular catch in the back of the end zone for a touchdown — his first in a Giant uniform.
Buy Giants TicketsAdmit that the Kenny Golladay touchdown made you emotional pic.twitter.com/tLZmXPgQHu
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) January 9, 2023
It took 26 games for Golladay to finally hit pay dirt after signing a four-year, $72 million deal in March of 2021. Since that time, he’s been known more for his lack of production and has even been excluded from the game plan.
The Giants have been relying on wideouts Isaiah Hodgins, Darius Slayton, and Richie James Jr. along with tight end Daniel Bellinger. On Sunday, they all were held out, hence Golladay — who has been targeted just 17 times this season — was on the field.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll was asked if Golladay’s play on Sunday will insert him back into the mix.
“We’ll see. We’ll see. Go out there. Kenny’s worked hard since he’s been here. Those three guys have done a good job for us. Again, every week’s a different plan, the way we want to do things. I think everything’s on the table,” Daboll said.
After Golladay’s catch, Daboll went and sat beside him on the bench, where he put his arm around him, one of the many times the coach has had an emotional interaction with players this season.
Brian Daboll went to Kenny Golladay right after his first TD as a Giant.#TogetherBlue pic.twitter.com/G11XcifQn0
— 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 (@TheBlueZonee) January 9, 2023
“I think getting to know the guys, I have a wide variety of emotions I think I show. This one was more. I just was proud of the young man. He made a great play. I asked him if he thought we’d have cheesesteaks after, when we got out on the buses,” Daboll said. “But no. I respect all of our players. Every player has a different journey. Every player goes through different things, and he’s certainly a guy that I respect a lot.”
Golladay may not see more targets when the Giants meet the Minnesota Vikings in the Super Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs this Sunday but it’s sure good to know that he can still make plays when called upon.
