Golladay excited to play beside Jones: 'I want to grow with him'
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones was among players who helped the club in its pursuit of Kenny Golladay in free agency, and those efforts paid off.
The Giants made arguably free agency's biggest splash by inking the former Detroit Lions receiver to a reported four-year, $72-million deal Saturday.
Golladay said Jones told him that the Giants are "trying to do something great," adding that he can help Jones improve after consecutive roughing campaigns in the NFL.
"First off, he is still kind of fresh in the league a little bit," the wideout said of his new quarterback. "I want to grow with him. I'm still growing as a player. I feel me and him can do good things."
Jones has struggled with turnovers through his first two pro seasons, leading the league in fumbles each year. The 2019 sixth overall pick is 8-18 as a starter and threw just 11 touchdowns to 10 interceptions last season, creating questions for the Giants under center.
New York was just one of several teams pursuing Golladay, but the team's offensive system ultimately was a difference-maker for the star pass-catcher.
"The pieces on offense," Golladay said when asked why he chose the Giants, adding, "I like the vision (head coach) Joe Judge had and (offensive coordinator) Jason Garrett as far as the offense. I was all the way in."
The Giants were the NFL's second-worst team in total points and yards last season. New York has made the playoffs just once since 2012 and has missed out in four consecutive years.
"I'm going to do all I can to help this offense go," Golladay said. "Whenever they need me, I'm going to go out there and make a play."
Golladay led the NFL with 11 touchdowns and earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2019. However, the 27-year-old battled injuries last season and appeared in just five games.
A third-round pick out of Northern Illinois in 2017, Golladay has averaged 62 receptions for 1,044 yards (16.8 per catch) and seven touchdowns per 16 games since entering the NFL.