The Giants picked up their No. 1 receiver of the future over the weekend when they parlayed a traditional in-person visit with Kenny Golladay into a four-year, $72 million deal.
“They had me right there,” he said of his visit to Giants facilities on Thursday. “Just walking around the building, everybody greeting me and with them pretty much telling me that they wanted me here, and I wanted the same thing, it was basically a no-brainer.”
His acquisition was a rare top-tier get for the Giants under general manager Dave Gettleman, who has been stingy in the past when it comes to pursuing big-time playmakers on the open market.
The 27-year-old led the NFL with 11 touchdowns in 2019 while averaging 18.3 yards per catch before injuries cut last season to just five games.
It obviously brings a risk to Giants doling out such a big deal, but Golladay himself didn’t really entertain the idea of his health being an issue.
“I’m good,” he said. “I did the physical, I checked out.”
The Giants will be hoping that Golladay can bring that big-play presence to the outside of an offense that is waiting to see Daniel Jones take the next step in his professional development as the potential franchise quarterback.
While he struggled in his second season, Jones played a big part in recruiting Golladay.
“He just said how good of a player he thought I was and I pretty much said the same thing about him,” Golladay said. “And he said we’re trying to do something great here and that’s what I’m all about.
“He’s still kind of fresh in the league a little bit and I want to grow with him. I’m still growing as a player. Me and him can do some good things… we’re both very excited.”
There will still need to be a considerable bit of rebuilding done to get the Giants closer to that status of “great,” considering they’ve won more than six games in a season once in the last seven years, but the foundation there — including weapons headlined by running back Saquon Barkley — was enough to bring Golladay to the Meadowlands.
“Really just the pieces on offense [attraced me],” Golladay said. “Those guys actually reached out to me and I liked the vision head coach Joe Judge and [offensive coordinator] Jason Garrett had. And I was all the way in.”
So what are the Giants getting in the 6-foot-4 Northern Illinois product?
“This team is going to get a competitor,” he said. “A guy who is going to come in, work, try to push other guys, and have fun with it. I want to have fun while I’m doing this. I’m just a playmaker.
“I know one thing for sure, I’m going to do all I can to help this offense go. Whenever they need me, I’m going to be there to make a play.”
