New York Giants veteran wide receiver Golden Tate aired frustration on the sideline during Monday night’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, demanding to be thrown the ball. He also took said frustration to a public forum later in the week by liking a tweet suggesting that the Giants release him.
In response, the Giants have opted to send Tate home.
“I spoke to Golden at length today and we’re dealing internally with a lot of things,” head coach Joe Judge said, via Ryan Dunleavy of the NY Post. “He is not going to be at the walk-through today but he will be back in the building and practicing with us the remainder of the week. It will be business as usual.”
New York Giants, Golden Tate drama
Later on Wednesday, the veteran receiver liked a tweet indicating that the Giants should move on from him. That came after Tate’s wife, Elise, called the organization out publicly.
Thus far this season, the 32-year-old Tate has recorded a mere 22 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns in seven games. He’s registered just five combined targets over the past three games.
Obviously, the struggles of Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has played a role in Tate’s lack of production. From 2014-19, the former Notre Dame standout averaged 83 receptions for 950 yards. He’s not on anywhere near that pace this season.
With the trade deadline having passed on Tuesday, the Giants might simply have to waive Tate. However, that would come with a dead cap hit of nearly $4 million. Tate is playing under a four-year, $37.5 million contract he signed with the Giants ahead of the 2019 season. He’s under contract through the 2022 campaign.
As for the receiver, he might want to latch on with a contender. The frustration he’s shown recently could have as much to do with the Giants’ 1-7 record as Tate’s lack of targets.
It will be an interesting remainder of the week in Jersey with a game coming up against the Washington Football Team in Week 9.