On Friday, ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported that New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, a former Tennessee Vols standout, said during a practice in August that the team should just trade him if they're not going to utilize him. 

From ESPN: There was a moment late in the summer when it appeared this might go sideways. Unhappy with the situation, Hyatt said during practice that if the Giants weren't going to use him, they should trade him, multiple team sources told ESPN.

That does not appear it will happen. Hyatt is still in their plans.

The New York Post confirmed ESPN's report on Friday that Hyatt made those remarks. 

“He never told me that, so…Jalin is probably one of the closer guys I am with on this team. You should ask Jalin that," said Giants head coach Brian Daboll on Friday when asked about Hyatt's comments (via The New York Post). 

Hyatt played just 28 snaps in the Giants' first two games of the season. He has zero catches in those two games and he's only been targeted once in the passing game. 

The Giants' coaches — specifically Daboll and wide receivers coach Mike Groh — offered plenty of praise for Hyatt during the offseason. In late May, Groh told reporters that Hyatt is a "different guy" entering his second season in the NFL. Those comments from the offseason make it even more perplexing as to why Hyatt hasn't been involved in the Giants' offense so far this season (especially since New York is off to an 0-2 start). 

Hyatt is understandably frustrated, but he's not letting it impact his preparation. 

"I thought I had a very, very good training camp and they told me I did," said Hyatt (via ESPN). "They told me I had a great training camp, but there are things that I can't control, and I am disappointed about it, but at the end of the day, I'm just going to keep getting better and my chance will come, and when it comes I will be ready."

It feels like Hyatt's "trade wish" is getting blown out of proportion a bit. He clearly just wants to play and help the team win. And in what was probably a moment of frustration, he reportedly said what a thousand Giants fans have likely said over the last couple of weeks ("if you're not gonna use him, why not just trade him"). 

Should Hyatt have made the comment? I don't think that's a question that anyone who wasn't there can answer. We don't know the context, the situation, or how it was said. What we do know, though, is that Hyatt doesn't turn 23 years old until next week. He doesn't have a decade of experience in the NFL to lean on to get through a situation like this (he's far from the first player to go through this situation). Even then, it still seems like he's handling the situation incredibly well (that comment from August really shouldn't be a big deal at all). Hyatt is focusing on controlling what he can control, continuing to work hard, and trusting that opportunities will eventually come his way. 

Sometimes the timing doesn't make sense. Hyatt, however, is doing everything right. It's not his fault that New York's coaches are squandering his talent early in the season. 

Update: Hyatt denied the report on Friday afternoon. 

"I feel like it's a fake story. I feel like somebody is out to get me or something. I didn't say anything about not wanting to be here. I love it here."

– Jalin Hyatt pic.twitter.com/zAqai4gK4i

— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) September 20, 2024

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