Giants' Kenny Golladay on lack of snaps: 'I came here to play'

Wide receiver Kenny Golladay joined the New York Giants as a big-name free-agent acquisition in 2021 via a reported four-year deal worth up to $72 million. Following a disappointing debut season with the organization, Golladay was given a chance to impress first-year head coach Brian Daboll ahead of the ongoing campaign. 

Thus far, Golladay has recorded just two receptions for 22 yards in Daboll's offense, and the one-time Pro Bowl selection logged only two offensive snaps in this past Sunday's 19-16 win over the Carolina Panthers that improved the Giants to 2-0 on the season. The 28-year-old spoke with reporters Wednesday and made it clear he's unhappy with his current situation. 

"I don't agree with it," Golladay said of his lack of snaps, per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "I came here to play." 

Before the Giants hired Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen this past winter, Golladay tallied 37 catches for 521 yards and zero touchdowns during the 2021 season. Golladay insisted Wednesday he's not in the figurative doghouse of either man ahead of the upcoming "Monday Night Football" home game against the 1-1 Dallas Cowboys. 

"I’m preparing like I’m going to be playing, but who knows," Golladay said of the prime-time showdown. "The G.M., head coach, all these coaches keep saying, 'You do everything right; you handle yourself the right way.' It’s a little confusing."

Individuals such as Sports Illustrated's Patricia Traina suggested in late August the Giants likely would struggle to find a trade partner willing to accept Golladay's massive contract if he underwhelmed during September games. Golladay, meanwhile, wouldn't directly answer if he could ask to be traded at some point over the next month. 

"We’re not going to get into all that right now. We’re going into Week 3," he responded when asked about potentially making a trade request. "We’re going to see how it goes. There’s a lot of football left." 

Golladay could quiet critics and doubters with a big performance against the division-rival Cowboys, but he'll first have to earn playing time from Daboll through his work during practice sessions.