Giants Insider Reveals Disconnect Between Receiver and Staff

When a team disappoints like the New York Giants did in 2024, there is plenty of blame to go around. The quarterback play was untenable, but the offensive line collapsed and the defense couldn’t withstand the constant disadvantages, either.

Among the underperformers was receiver Jalin Hyatt. He entered the second year of his career as the fourth receiver and a spot in the team’s plans to stretch the field. He left it with just eight more catches to his name.

In a series of unmitigated disasters for New York, Hyatt’s figures to have a significant impact on his long-term standing. General manager Joe Schoen all but admitted that there wasn’t a spot for Hyatt while Darius Slayton was in the building. The veteran was extended for three seasons, further pushing Hyatt out of playing time.

The 2024 season didn’t go as planned, but an improvement under center won’t help Hyatt unless he helps himself. Giants insider Connor Hughes revealed on Wednesday that there was a disconnect between the receiver and the coaching staff in Year 2.

“A lot of this falls on Hyatt, though. He mentally checked out at points last season after clashing with the coaching staff and upper management,” Connor Hughes wrote. “There was no reason he should have been as uninvolved as he was at points last season. He’s a player with a skillset that the Giants should be able to use. Some players simply can’t get out of the doghouse. That was the problem last year.

“If Hyatt shows up with a re-commitment to the playbook, practice and games, and improves his route running, then yes, he should be more productive with Wilson than he was with Daniel Jones, Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito. The former and latter are equal parts here.”

It’s understandable that a big-play threat would grow frustrated with limited targets, poor quarterback play, and a season that quickly crashed and burned. But it’s inexcusable for Hyatt to not be fully present, regardless of the on-field circumstances.

Hyatt may not have received the opportunities he wanted to see to take a step forward, but he didn’t perform well in his limited playing time, either. He dropped over two of his 19 targets and produced just 0.29 yards per route run (per Pro Football Focus). He appeared in 16 games but saw just eight catches and 62 yards. He didn’t find the end zone.

Perhaps improved quarterback play and the fresh start of a new season gives Hyatt the resources for a breakout campaign. If not, it’s easy to see him fading from New York plans in a hurry.