New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt incidentally sparked controversy this week when it was reported that he requested a trade over the summer.
Head coach Brian Daboll said that wasn’t true and after Friday’s practice, Hyatt shared his surprise at the allegations.
“I didn’t say that. I don’t know where that came from, but that’s false. I love being here,” Hyatt told reporters. “Joe (Schoen), Dabes, I got so much respect for trading up for me and getting me. So, whatever that rumor was, it’s not true at all.
“I mean it does (make me angry). It’s false reports. I never said anything about being traded or going somewhere else, especially not in the summer. So, my focus now is just getting better for this team, being ready for my opportunity. But as far as trades and rumors of that, it was not true.”
Hyatt is in just his second NFL season. Last year he pulled in 23 receptions for 323 yards. This year he has only been targeted once in two games. He admits that he wants the ball but understands that the team has to go with what works.
“I feel like it’s a fake story. I feel like it’s somebody’s out to get me or something. I didn’t say anything about not wanting to be here,” Hyatt added. “Like I said, I love it here. And we’re doing the right things, right steps to get to where we want to get to as a team. And that’s my focus.
“I’m a competitor. I want to be out there. I want to play. And the coaching staff knows that too. But it’s the NFL and whenever my chance is or whenever my opportunities are, that’s when I’m going to take advantage. So that’s my focus.”
It would benefit the Giants to use Hyatt not just because of what they invested to draft him, but because he’s their top field-stretching speedster. We’ll see if they do on Sunday.
