New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate waited anxiously for four straight weeks before he could return to the field, having served a suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy, but his welcome home party wasn’t quite what he had expected.
Not only did the Giants fall to the Minnesota Vikings, 28-10, but Tate was targeted just six times, hauling in three receptions for 13 yards — and two of those came in the fourth quarter when the game was essentially out of reach.
Never one to shy away from his feelings, an obviously frustrated Tate openly hoped for an increase role in Week 6 and beyond.
“It felt good to get back out there,” Tate told reporters. “Obviously, I wish I had a few more opportunities to help us win, but I’ll watch film very critically. I’ll get with DJ (Daniel Jones), my coach, the OC and see what I can do better to help us win and help us move the chains a little bit more.”
Pressed further, Tate reiterated that he’d like to see a larger offensive role.
“I hope not, I hope not,” Tate said when asked if this is what we should expect of his role. “Obviously, I want to be out there as much as possible, but we’ll see. It’s the first week back for me. I hope my role increases, but we’ll see.”
The Giants signed Tate to a four-year, $37.5 million contract early in the offseason following a trade of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and the belief was that he’d come in and take over as WR1.
Of course, that move was made with the notion that Eli Manning would be under center — the quarterback with whom Tate spent all offseason building chemistry — but things changed after just two weeks. Now rookie Daniel Jones is starting at quarterback and with Tate having missed a month, there was no opportunity for the duo to build chemistry.
The Giants now face a short turnaround before visiting the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football, so things may only get worse for Tate before they get better.
Will Tate hold his tongue if more balls don’t go his way or will this spill over into something much more? Time will tell.
