EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Following the New York Giants’ 27-22 defeat against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Coach Brian Daboll addressed the media briefly, wrapping up his remarks in under four minutes.
As the Giants’ locker room opened, linebacker Brian Burns was found sitting at defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence’s locker, both players wearing vacant expressions. They exchanged glances now and then, engaging in brief conversations, but the mood was somber.
The Giants’ season has taken an unexpected turn. After finishing 6-11 in 2023, the team made significant roster upgrades, aiming to return to playoff contention after reaching the postseason in 2022 during Daboll’s inaugural year as head coach. Unfortunately, that aspiration is nearly extinguished. With a current record of 2-7, the Giants have endured four consecutive losses, remain winless in five games at MetLife Stadium, and sit last in the NFC East.
Lawrence was visibly frustrated when asked about his discussion with Burns. “Don’t worry. If I’m talking to my teammates, it’s nothing for you to be concerned about,” the prominent defensive tackle responded. He emphasized the need for improved precision on the defensive end while expressing disappointment that quarterback Daniel Jones and the offense scored enough points to win but lacked sufficient support.
Burns, who joined the team from Carolina during the offseason, validated that their conversation revolved around the game but chose to keep the specifics confidential. Both players are no strangers to defeat in their NFL careers.
In contrast, wide receiver Malik Nabers is experiencing a different side of the league. Previously part of a winning program at LSU alongside Washington’s quarterback Jayden Daniels, Nabers is now witnessing the struggles of a losing franchise. The Commanders, under Daniels’ leadership, boast an impressive 7-2 record while the Giants continue to falter.
“You’ve got to get it from the ground up,” Nabers said, acknowledging his own journey with the Giants, where he leads the team with 55 receptions. “I’d rather come from the mud like I did regularly. It feels better when you come from the mud and you start winning successfully.”
It’s evident that a turnaround will not arrive this season.
Daboll opted not to engage with the team’s overall record in his postgame address. “I just talked about this game,” he noted. “There are opportunities that we had that we didn’t capitalize on and that’s why we got the results we got.”