None of the Giants’ tight ends are dating the world’s biggest pop stars, nor do they boast the on-field fame of Chiefs superstar Travis Kelce.
With retired Pro Bowl player Darren Waller out of the team, the Giants are counting on third-year tight end Daniel Bellinger and rookie Theo Johnson, who is proving to be a hit at the position this season, and that will continue into Saturday’s preseason road game against the Texans.
“My mindset is what they want me to do. I don’t care if I’m the No. 1 or No. 2 tight end. I want to do whatever I can to help the team win,” Bellinger told The Post earlier this week. “And Theo’s a true pro. Some rookies struggle, but he’s come in and he’s done well. I think he’ll help our team a lot and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Bellinger had 55 receptions for 523 yards and two touchdowns in his first two seasons in the NFL, but didn’t find the end zone in 17 games last year after the Giants acquired Waller as the starter.
“Berry’s one of those guys that can do it all, whether it’s the pass game or the run game. He’s continuing to grow. He’s getting stronger,” offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said after practice Thursday. “You look at the jump he made from year one to year two, and I think in year three, after three years in the same system, there’s going to be confidence there. That’s going to benefit him. He’s one of those guys that I see and envision as a leader of that group, so I’m excited for him.”
Johnson, the Giants’ fourth-round draft pick out of Penn State, has also been highlighted as a potential target for Daniel Jones after his first NFL camp was delayed by injury.
“Theo is a rookie but he’s right on schedule in his development,” Kafka said. “He’s one of those guys that started a little late in camp but he’s done a really nice job.”
“We’re excited about what he’s doing and we’re going to continue to put him in the offensive line and continue to look for ways to keep him involved with the team.”
The 6-foot-6 Johnson said during camp he believed the Giants got a “bargain” in the draft and said Thursday he expects to make an impact as a rookie.
“I feel like I’m ready to play a role on this team and I’m trying to show everybody that I’m capable of doing a lot of things,” Johnson told the Post. “I’m continuing to learn and grow as I go along, and I definitely think there’s a lot more I can do, but I feel like I’m off to a good start.”
“The biggest adjustment would definitely be mentally. There’s a lot more volume and quantity than I did in college, and especially at the tight end position, it requires so much more knowledge.”
With multiple injuries depleting the depth at the position, the Giants signed free agent fullback/tight end Jacob Johnson on Friday and waived/injured guard Tyree Jackson, who left practice early on Thursday with an injury that was not disclosed.
The 29-year-old Johnson has played in 67 games over five seasons with the Patriots and Raiders, including 13 games with Las Vegas last season. In 2020, the Germany-born Johnson became the first player from the NFL’s International Pathway Program to score a touchdown in a regular season game while playing for New England.
Backup tight end Lawrence Cager has been sidelined since earlier this week with a groin injury.
New offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo was on the coaching staffs of both the Patriots and Raiders during Johnson’s tenure.
But heading into the regular-season opener against the Vikings on Sept. 8, the top two tight ends on the roster are clearly Bellinger and Johnson.
“Daniel is a great guy, a very unselfish guy, and he’s helped me a lot with communication and showing me how to do things,” Johnson said. “I think we’re similar in that we’re both unconventional. We’re both good run blockers and pass-catching guys.”
“So we’re going to do a lot of great things together.”
