Giants Country

Giants WR Jalin Hyatt Denies Reports of Unhappiness with Lack of Opportunities

Hyatt has one pass target in two games so far.

Michael Lee

Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (13) during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium.
Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (13) during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium. / John Jones-Imagn Images
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New York Giants second-year receiver Jalin Hyatt is reportedly unhappy about his lack of a role on the team’s offense to the point where he reportedly requested a trade.

ESPN delivered that report, citing “multiple sources,” which Hyatt denied to reporters when asked about it on Friday. The New York Post, confirmed ESPN's report.

But Hyatt strongly insisted he never demanded a trade.

"I didn't say that. I don't know where that came from, but that's false," Hyatt insisted. "I love being here. (Senior Vice President and General Manager) Joe (Schoen), (Head Coach Brian Daboll) Dabs, I got so much respect for trading up for me and getting me. So, whatever that rumor was, it's not true at all."

Hyatt added that the false report was upsetting.

"I mean it does. It's false reports. I never said anything about being traded or going somewhere else, especially not in the summer. So, my focus now is just getting better for this team, being ready for my opportunity. But as far as trades and rumors of that, it was not true.


"I feel like it's somebody's out to get me or something," he added. "I didn't say anything about not wanting to be here. Like I said, I love it here. And we're doing the right things, right steps to get to where we want to get to as a team. And that's my focus."

Hyatt, for whom the Giants traded up in the 2023 draft to acquire, has played in just 27 snaps on offense through two games. He’s been targeted once in those snaps, that lone target coming in the Week 1 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. 

His lack of snaps and targets have left the former Tennessee receiver flummoxed.

"Would've looked at you crazy," Hyatt told ESPN when asked if he thought his current predicament would be a possibility.

 "It is definitely disappointing. I'm not going to sit here and act like I'm perfectly fine with it. I'm not. But it's like, 'What can I do now?' It's either I can sit here and pout and be mad at the world and not get better, or I can keep attacking the days and keep getting better at practice."

Hyatt competed with veteran Darius Slayton in training camp. Slayton finished with three receptions on three targets for 59 yards, no drops, and going one-for-one in the contested catch department. 

Hyatt caught one of three pass targets for zero yards and went zero for two on contested catches. He was also the intended target on one of Giants quarterback Daniel Jones’s interceptions in the Week 2 preseason loss to Houston.  

Head coach Brian Daboll was asked about Hyatt's lack of targets. In his rookie season, Hyatt caught 23 of 40 balls (57.5 percent) for 373 yards and no touchdowns. He also had five dropped passes and a 40 percent success rate in contested catches.

The head coach was up front with his response, suggesting that Slayton has played better so far.

 "[Slayton] is doing a nice job with his opportunities to do the things that he needs to do. And then we sprinkle in Hyatt in particular plays. And then [rookie wide receiver Malik] Nabers has been on the field most of the time,” he said.

Daboll, who claims Hyatt never approached him about a trade, has not given up on Hyatt, though. He believes the young receiver will be ready to go when his number is called.  

And that's exactly what Hyatt plans to do.

"My focus is on this team, what we got to do, how we got to get better," he said. "And our focus is on Cleveland."

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Michael Lee
MICHAEL LEE

Michael Lee is an aspiring sports writer currently studying journalism and communications.

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