The New York Giants would certainly like to unload Kenny Golladay, and one of these five teams might be desperate enough to bail them out.
Once upon a time, Kenny Golladay was a budding star for the Detroit Lions. After a 1,000-yard season in 2018, his second season in the league, he topped 1,100 yards and led league in receiving touchdowns with 11 in 2019.
But lower body injuries that started in 2020 with the Lion carrried into Golladay’s first season with the New York Giants in 2021, on the heels of signing a four-year, $72 million deal. His first season in New York was a dud, as he had 37 catches for 521 yards without a touchdown in 14 games last year.
The beginning of the 2022 season has been worse for Golladay. The new regime in New York is operating a meritocracy, with no regard for someone’s name or contract. Golladay has played 46, two and 24 snaps in three games, with a total of two catches for 22 yards (all in Week 1).
Golladay carries the highest cap hit in the league for a wide receiver this year ($21.15 million). Before Week 3 he suggested it’s “a fact” he should be playing, but the proof is not in the pudding. The situation could take a bad turn if Golladay gets more vocal, and the Giants will have a headache on their hands.
Golladay had a notable drop last Monday night against the Cowboys, and he lamented the missed chance.
"I missed one opportunity, I wish I had it back,” Golladay said, via the team’s transcript. “Me just not looking it all the way in. Me just trying to make a play for the team and get up the field. I was running before I really secured the ball. That’s pretty much all that that was. That’s stuff that can’t happen, especially when 8 is pretty much doing everything to get us the ball and to get us in position to win the football game. I want to be a guy that can make that play, so I definitely put that on myself. It was third down and that can’t happen.”"
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, before that game against Dallas, the Giants could look to trade Golladay if the situation doesn’t improve. They will have to eat a lot of his salary to get it done, but it might be worth it. SI’s Albert Breer reported the team has made him available for some time.
Golladay would presumably welcome a change of scenery, and the Giants don’t have any attachment to a mistake former general manager Dave Gettleman made.
Here are five teams who could trade for Golladay, or be desperate enough to consider it.