The New York Giants kicked off their season on a sour note, not just with the loss, but with visible tension between wide receiver Malik Nabers and head coach Brian Daboll.
Their heated exchange on the sidelines quickly became one of the biggest talking points after the Giants’ 21-6 defeat to the Washington Commanders.
Struggles on Offense
It was a tough afternoon for the Giants’ offense, which failed to score a single touchdown.
The team managed only 231 yards in total, leaving fans frustrated and the locker room visibly tense.
Washington, meanwhile, capitalized on the opportunity, securing a comfortable win in the NFC East opener.
Nabers and Daboll’s Sideline Clash
Midway through the game, cameras caught Nabers and Daboll in a back-and-forth argument near the bench.
The second-year receiver looked upset, while Daboll tried to calm him down.
Moments later, the coach attempted to smooth things over with a high-five in the huddle.
Whether Nabers didn’t see it or simply ignored it, the gesture went unanswered until Daboll pulled him in for a quick hug before play resumed.
Nabers Leads but Remains Frustrated
Despite the tension, Nabers was still the Giants’ top receiver on the day, collecting 71 yards on five catches.
However, those numbers came from 12 targets, showing the lack of rhythm between him and new quarterback Russell Wilson.
Wilson’s Rocky Giants Debut
Wilson, who has played for the Seahawks, Broncos, and Steelers, had a rough first outing in a Giants uniform.
He completed just 17 of 37 passes for 169 yards, was sacked twice, and walked away with a passer rating of 59.3.
Not exactly the start he or the Giants were hoping for.
Daboll Still Backs His Quarterback
Even with the shaky performance, Daboll stood firmly behind Wilson after the game.
“I have confidence in Russ. We have to do better around … overall,” he told reporters, stressing that the offense’s struggles weren’t just on the quarterback.
Rookie Jaxson Dart Waits in the Wings
Interestingly, reports suggest the Giants had drawn up a set of plays for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who impressed during the preseason with 372 passing yards and three touchdowns.
However, the former Ole Miss star never made it onto the field against Washington.
Looking Ahead to Dallas
Next week, the Giants face an even tougher challenge as they head to Texas to take on the Cowboys.
With the offense under scrutiny and Nabers-Daboll tensions in the spotlight, all eyes will be on how Big Blue responds.