Jason Garrett test positives for COVID-19, sets up Freddie Kitchens revenge game

The New York Giants’ tight end coach will have his shot at revenge against his former team.

Sunday will be a must-see showdown between two playoff contenders. At 9-4, the Cleveland Browns are one win away from posting their best regular-season record since 2007. For the New York Giants, they’re likely still alive in the NFC East because, well, it’s the NFC East.

The two will meet on Sunday Night Football, hoping to keep their records thriving for another week. However, things have become interesting with an old flame now back in the mix.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not call plays this upcoming weekend. Instead, Joe Judge will hand over the play sheet to tight ends coach Freddie Kitchens.

“We are currently working with the league’s chief medical officer regarding close contacts,” the Giants said in a statement on Thursday. “Because of the league’s most updated protocols, Giants coaches and players did not meet on either Monday or Tuesday, and the majority of the coaching staff worked remotely.”

Freddie Kitchens time with the Cleveland Browns was rough

Kitchens is fresh off a stint as the umpteenth Browns head coach in the long history of struggling coaches. Following the departure of Hue Jackson and Todd Haley in 2018, Kitchens was promoted to Browns offensive coordinator while defensive coordinator Gregg Williams took control as interim head coach.

Kitchens thrived alongside Baker Mayfield calling the shots, helping the then-No.1 pick break the single-season rookie touchdown record. Williams instigated strong defensive play and set the team up with a 5-3 finish.

Ultimately, offense wins. It allowed Jimmy Haslam to pull the trigger on the young offensive coordinator. Instead of building off the promising 2018 finished, they regressed on both sides of the ball and saw Mayfield look like a potential bust.

Kitchens finished with a 6-10 record in his lone season with Cleveland before being fired. The franchise believes they have their future long-term option in former Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski.

Kitchens isn’t ready to become a head coach again, but with rumors circling that Judge could move on from Garrett this offseason, this could be an audition. And who better to face than the team and quarterback that forced the once up and coming star out of the spotlight?

A Baker can only handle so much of a Kitchens heat. Let’s see who bows out first.