Following a Week 1 loss to the Denver Broncos, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley seemed a bit annoyed with his role.
“It’s not my normal workload. Usually, I’d probably have a lot more plays, but that’s all I’m saying,” Barkley told reporters at the time.
A few short days later, safety Jabrill Peppers also lamented his role. He had been given less than 50% of the team’s defensive snaps in the loss.
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“It’s different,” A clearly frustrated Peppers said. “It’s just the game plan right now. Whatever the coaches think is best for that week, that’s what it’s going to be.”
Cornerback James Bradberry admitted it was difficult not having their captain on the field.
“I will say having Peppers on the field, he does add a physicalness to our defense because I feel like he’s our enforcer, so definitely adds a different element to the defense when he’s on the field,” Bradberry said.
Following a Week 2 loss to the Washington Football Team, the frustrations continued and once again it was Bradberry who brought them to the forefront. Only this time, it was more about what the cornerback didn’t say.
Asked about Jason Garrett’s play-calling following his fourth quarter interception, Bradberry paused for what felt like a lifetime, ultimately deciding to bite his tongue.
“I really don’t try to have too much thought on the offense and what they do. But at the end of the day I can’t control it. I don’t make any play calls. I play corner and that’s what they ask me to do and it’s what I give them,” Bradberry told reporters.
The Giants ran just three plays after Bradberry’s pick and instead of putting the game away, managed to take only a few seconds off the clock before settling for a Graham Gano field goal. It wasn’t nearly enough and the Giants ended up losing as time expired.
Bradberry felt the game should have been over after his interception.
“I did. I did,” Bradberry said when asked if he thought he sealed the victory. “It’s very disappointing. Have to get back to focusing on getting a win, it obviously didn’t work that way.”
That series had other ripple effects as well. Although it was downplayed after the game, wide receiver Kenny Golladay got into a heated shouting match with quarterback Daniel Jones, which played out on national television.
“I think he was frustrated with the situation, but I don’t think it was to me or anyone in particular. We’re all good. I love Kenny, I thought he played hard and did a lot of good things out there,” Jones told reporters. “I’ve got to do a better job of finding him in some places and we’ll work through it.”
But the Golladay-Jones dust-up wasn’t even the only one of the night. Earlier in the game, head coach Joe Judge and rookie wide receiver Kadarius Toney also shared some words.
Toney, who didn’t return to the field after that, was visibly angry on the sideline. He, too, tried to downplay that after the game on Instagram, but didn’t really.
“I don’t be mad, [expletive] just be lame to me. For real,” Toney wrote.
It didn’t end there, either.
People close to Toney told NJ Advance Media that the rookie is unhappy with his role and he’s not interested in hiding it.
“No use in having a sports car and not driving it,” a person close to Toney told told NJ Advance Media.
Meanwhile, after his game-losing penalty, defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence refused to speak with reporters.
There is an emerging trend in East Rutherford and cracks are beginning to form in the team’s foundation. They are desperately trying to keep a lid on it but frustrations are beginning to boil over. If the wins do not start to pile up, the wheels may come off much sooner than anyone anticipated.
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