Giants HC responds to controversial Evan Neal comments

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Giants HC Brian Daboll responds to controversial Evan Neal comments

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 10/5/23

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll wants to put controversial comments much-maligned right tackle Evan Neal delivered on Wednesday to bed.

"He was frustrated," Daboll said about Neal on Thursday, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. "He made a poor choice, poor decision, poor comments. He acknowledged that and we’re moving on."

Daboll added he spoke with Neal and also insisted the seventh overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft is "very remorseful and regretful for the comments that he made." The coach neither confirmed nor denied if Neal will face any discipline.

Neal arguably is the most disappointing player on what's been an awful offensive line thus far this season and generated headlines on Wednesday afternoon when he blasted fans who booed the Giants during and after this past Monday's 24-3 home loss to the Seattle Seahawks that dropped New York to 1-3. Specifically, Neal ripped "bandwagoners" and "sheep" who "really don’t understand the game of football to the level that we understand it in this building" and who "flip hot dogs and hamburgers somewhere."

Neal offered an apology on Thursday night after multiple New York sports radio personalities ripped the 23-year-old during on-air segments:

.@EvanAndTikiWFAN, and especially @ShaunMorash, are not happy with Evan Neal's words today about comments on his play: "Evan Neal, you're a loser, man." pic.twitter.com/zVSdnmhoSy
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) October 4, 2023

ICYMI on @TMKSESPN:@DonLagreca had some thoughts on @ENeal73’s comments about New York Giants fans.

LISTEN HERE ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/ADqenR210l
— 98.7FM ESPN New York (@ESPNNY98_7FM) October 4, 2023

"You have to be resilient in this league," Daboll continued during his comments. "It’s a humbling league. Whether you are winning a few games and then lose a few games or you lose early, be consistent in your approach to handle things the right way. We had a slip-up there."

According to ESPN stats, the Giants began Thursday ranked dead last in the NFL with a pitiful average of 11.5 points per game. Neal, the rest of the offensive line, quarterback Daniel Jones and the coaching staff all share the blame for the offense's many failures over the past month, and Daboll now must do whatever possible to prevent what was once a promising season from becoming a lost cause weeks before Halloween.

As of Thursday afternoon, OddsChecker listed the Giants as 11.5-point underdogs for this Sunday's game at the 3-1 Miami Dolphins. If nothing else, Neal won't have to worry about hearing boos from home Giants fans again until Big Blue hosts the Washington Commanders in Week 7 on Oct. 22.

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