Fox's Greg Olsen clarifies his criticism of Malik Nabers

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Fox's Greg Olsen clarifies his criticism of Giants WR Malik Nabers

By Cody Marmon | Last updated Nov 9, 2026 5:33 PM ET

Greg Olsen is setting the record straight after recent media coverage, saying reports from the New York Post and USA Today inaccurately portrayed his remarks and falsely suggested he called New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers a bad teammate.

Malik Nabers rejects criticism, defends his competitive nature

"I've played with a lot of really good wide receivers ... There's never been a great wide receiver who hasn't demanded the ball," Olsen said. "There are a few exceptions to guys that are just a different personality and a different approach, but there is a very fine line between being demanding, being a competitor, and all those great things; it just can never cross that it feels like it takes away from the success of your teammates."

"...You can’t still be worried about your targets… He’s a talented young, really good player. He’s just got to keep it in check.”

Since people are going to just make up quotes and put worlds in my mouth, here were my comments on Malik Nabers At no point did we ever say he was a bad teammate. Hopefully @nypost and @USATODAY adjust their stories https://t.co/qV9XR9x5yj
— Greg Olsen (@gregolsen88) November 9, 2026

In the aftermath of the game, Nabers addressed the controversy on Instagram.

“(Y’all) be trying (to) create a narrative on me soo bad, it’s actually crazy,” Nabers wrote, via The Athletic. “If you (don’t) like the way I play the game, keep the camera off me!! SIMPLE! But (Olsen) calling me a bad teammate when every team I’ve been on, there’s NOBODY I’ve played with (that) has said (that about) me is crazy!

My face (is) the same way if I’m having a good game, bad, winning or losing. If it’s a problem: 1. Keep the camera off of me. 2. Pray (about) it! Simple.”

With the Giants nursing a 13-8 lead, Nabers dropped what would have been a difficult, diving catch in the end zone for a touchdown.

“Listen, you want to demand the ball; you can’t throw that ball any better,” Olsen said of the pass by McCarthy, via The Athletic. “That’s a touchdown. You’re a premier player in this league. You’ve got an opportunity there; you’ve got to catch it.”

It seemed as if Olsen was highlighting the standard star players are held to. He acknowledged that top receivers want the ball, but argued that on a well-thrown pass in a crucial situation, a player of Nabers' caliber is expected to make that catch.

It's not hard to see why expectations remain high for Nabers. He was recently named NFC Offensive Player of the Month after posting 36 receptions for 509 yards and two touchdowns in October, a stretch that included four consecutive 100-yard games.

Cody Marmon

Cody is a sports journalist with four years of experience and a Multimedia Journalism degree from Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow College of Communication. He developed his reporting skills through the Walter Cronkite Journalism Program and later served as a sports reporter for The Post-Searchlight in Bainbridge, GA. Cody also contributed NFL and combat sports content to GiveMeSport and Anubis Sports.

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