Giants' Jalin Hyatt denies report of trade talk during the summer
New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt waves to fans before a game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 8, 2024. Credit: AP/Pamela Smith
Jalin Hyatt, the Giants’ speedy second-year receiver, widely was expected to be a key part of the offense in 2024.
Instead, he has been targeted only once in two games, with no receptions and one drop, in very limited playing time.
It is an early season storyline that has been exacerbated by the Giants’ 0-2 start, and now by an ESPN report on Friday that Hyatt said during a practice over the summer that if the Giants were not going to use him, they should trade him.
After practice on Friday, Hyatt said he was surprised by the report and insisted it was not accurate.
“I feel like it’s a fake story,” he said. “I feel like somebody’s out to get me or something. I didn’t say anything about not wanting to be here. I love it here.”
Coach Brian Daboll said, “[Hyatt] never told me that. Jalin is probably one of the closer guys I am with on this team. You should ask Jalin."
None of that changes the fact of Hyatt’s lack of use. The Giants traded up to draft him in the third round in 2023. He had 23 receptions for 373 yards as a rookie.
But as the current season neared, he fell behind Darius Slayton in the receiver hierarchy, presumably because the coaches trusted the veteran receiver more. Slayton also has good chemistry with quarterback Daniel Jones, both on and off the field.
“[Hyatt] has a role,” Daboll said. “When his number's called, he'll be ready to go. He's in good spirits. Jalin and I and the receivers talk every day. We meet a lot.
“I have a lot of confidence in Jalin. Jalin knows that. When he has a chance to make a play, he'll go out there and make a play.”
Hyatt said, “I’m a competitor. I want to be out there. I want to play. The coaching staff knows that, too, but this is the NFL. Whenever my chance is, whenever my opportunity is, that’s when I’m going to take advantage. That’s my focus.”
Hyatt said he will work to be more consistent in all aspects of his game, including catching, route-running and blocking.
“It’s still early in the season,” he said. “It’s Week 2. That’s why I’m still shocked and surprised at the rumors that I’m hearing.
“As far as disappointed or mad, it’s none of that. I’m a competitor at the end of the day. I want to be out there. But I’m going to take advantage of my chances when they come.”
Notes & quotes: DB Nick McCloud (knee) will not play Sunday against the Browns. LBs Brian Burns (groin) and rookie Darius Muasau (knee) are questionable . . . Daboll said his starting kicker would be determined after practice Friday via competition between veteran Greg Joseph and rookie Jude McAtamney. Could experience play a decisive factor? “I think that plays a part into it,” Daboll said. “Ultimately, it's out here in practice. See how we do. Certainly, that plays a part in it.”
Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.
