The Giants' future at quarterback is uncertain, but Malik Nabors' aspirations are clear.
On the day that benched Daniel Jones essentially said goodbye to the Giants after six years as the starter, Nabors was asked what he hoped the next franchise quarterback would bring.
“I just want the ball. As long as you give me the ball, we'll be fine,” said the rookie wide receiver, who is under the team's command until at least 2028. Along with that. ”
Starting Sunday against the Buccaneers, Tommy DeVito will be distributing the ball to Neighbors and other receivers.
When DeVito, who celebrates his Italian heritage, led the Giants to three straight wins as an undrafted rookie last season and briefly became one of the NFL's biggest stories, Nabors was coming off a stellar career at LSU. I was completely unaware of what was happening. Around New York.
But teammates told Neighbors on Monday that DeVito's I informed him about the legend.
“Hopefully he can pick up where he left off and continue what he's been doing here,” Nabors said. “I think I can build chemistry with anybody. I can get open and I can create separation. That's certainly a plus for him. He feels comfortable throwing the ball to me. I will give it to you.”
DeVito was the third-stringer during training camp and through the first 11 weeks of the season, so he and Nabors had only practiced together “a few times” before this week.
“I played some catch with him after practice because I know he has a steamer in his arm,” Nabors said. “My relationship with DeVito is great.”
Nabors, who totaled 35 catches for 386 yards and three touchdowns on 52 targets in the first four games of his career, has 26 catches on 42 targets for 221 yards in four games since returning from his concussion. No touchdowns were scored.
Nabors said he would support Jones “as long as he remains on the team,” but what was he reading about DeVito?
“His intention on the ball is accurate,” Nabors said. “He can deliver the ball before he comes out of the break. So Daboll said to me, 'The ball is coming, get your head around pretty quickly.' That's my main focus. To have that as a quarterback, to expect him to throw the ball before you come off the break, that's what we need. ”
Daboll hasn't committed to DeVito starting the remaining seven games. This is an audition that will help him earn a spot on next year's depth chart and strengthen Daboll's job security before the Giants reset with the 2025 draft.
“The coaches made the difficult decision to use Tommy,” Nabors said. “All we can do is rally around Tommy. Please continue to support DJ. We are not going to throw him under the bus.”
