Giants' Jason Garrett 'proud' of what he helped build with Cowboys

New York Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett joined Big Blue this past January after he served as head coach of the division-rival Dallas Cowboys from November 2010 through the end of the 2019 campaign and the expiration of his contract.

As noted by ESPN's Jordan Raanan, Garrett gushed about his time with "America's Team" while speaking with reporters on a Tuesday video call:

"This is the first time I've officially spoken to the media since coming to the Giants from the Cowboys. I just want to acknowledge my time in Dallas and how grateful I am for the whole experience and everyone in the Cowboys organization for the opportunity and the support and the lifelong friendships that I've made. The players, the coaches and the staff members that were with me and made my life way better, I am eternally grateful to them. And really appreciative to have them in my life and for that experience.

"Awfully proud of the program we built and the teams we had. We had a lot of great days there. So, again, I'm very grateful for that experience and the people that made that experience what it was."

Garrett did, however, add that he wanted to shift the focus of the conversation toward his working under New York head coach Joe Judge:

"Having said that, this is a new day and I'm awfully excited about being a part of the New York Football Giants and being back in this part of the country with this amazing organization where I've had so many great times in the past. So with all due respect, I'd love to have the questions that we talk about today be focused on what's happening here with the Giants than Dallas."

Garrett spent time on the Giants roster as a backup quarterback from 2000 through 2003.

As Raanan, Chris Bumbaca of USA Today and others mentioned last January, the Cowboys began interviewing candidates to replace Garrett while he was still employed by the franchise. Garrett didn't want to discuss that or his departure from the organization.

"No disrespect but don't want to talk about the past that way," he said. "Any question you guys have about what we're doing here with the Giants now I'm excited to answer."