Once-prized Giants free agent signing sounds off on NY despite 2-0 start

One year after signing a massive contract with the New York Giants, wide receiver Kenny Golladay says that he should be playing “regardless,” as he logged just two snaps in Week 2.

Through the first two weeks of the season, the New York Giants are the biggest surprise of the NFL. They are undefeated under new head coach Brian Daboll, who is getting the most out of the players on the roster. One thing that has been highlighted under Daboll is the number of snaps being given out to wide receivers. Kadarius Toney had just seven snaps in Week 1, and this past Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, Kenny Golladay received just two snaps in the 19-16 win.

While meeting with the media, Golladay talked about his lack of playing time so far this season and said that he should be playing “regardless.” Additionally, Golladay says that it is “a little confusing” that he isn’t playing much considering that the coaches and general manager Joe Schoen have said that he’s done “everything right.”

Golladay’s comments come courtesy of SNY.

Kenny Golladay confused by lack of playing time with Giants

When it comes to wide receivers, Sterling Shepard leads the team with 107 snaps, per Pro Football Reference. The wide receiver with the second-most is David Sills, a former undrafted free agent out of West Virginia, with 94. Richie James, the former San Francisco 49ers wideout, has 73 snaps through the first two games.

Golladay has just 48 snaps, the fourth-most of any wide receiver.

Last year, Golladay was signed to a massive four-year, $72 million contract by general manager Dave Gettleman. His first season with New York was anything but productive, as he recorded 37 receptions for 521 yards and zero touchdowns on 76 targets. Golladay was brought in to be the touchdown-scorer on the team, and recorded none.

Now, it is a new regime in New York, as Gettleman retired with a 19-46 record as general manager, and head coach Joe Judge was fired after two seasons. But there was no chance of Schoen moving on from Golladay due to the contract.

According to Spotrac, the team releasing Golladay at this point would accrue $21.15 million in dead money in 2022 and $10.2 million in 2023. A trade would account for $8.15 million in dead money in 2022 and $10.2 million in 2023, but would free up $13 million in cap space in 2022. Considering his production, a trade is out of the question this year.

Who knows, there could be more of an opportunity for Golladay down the stretch this season. However, the decision on who plays more snaps on offense comes down to Daboll.