The opening of training camp is already the most optimistic day of the NFL season, but second-year New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers took it a step further Wednesday when asked if he can be the very best at his position.
‘I can be,’ the 21-year-old said after his first practice of 2025. ‘I feel like I should be one of those top guys in a few years, if not next year.’
The statement made waves online, where many wrestled with comparisons between Nabers and other former LSU stars at the position, like Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase or Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson.
Still, Nabers’ self-confidence is entirely understandable given his successful rookie campaign: The former first-round pick set a rookie record with 109 receptions in 2024 despite learning to play alongside four struggling quarterbacks.
And that should be less of a problem this year with the additions of veteran starter and Super Bowl winner Russell Wilson, backup quarterback and former NFL starter Jameis Winston, as well as rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart. So even if Wilson were to struggle, the team now has serviceable backup options in stark contrast to the 3-14 Giants of a season ago.
But just when some optimism seemed to be creeping into the Quest Diagnostics Training Center, Nabers abruptly ended the feelgoodery by revealing a potential toe surgery looming on the horizon.
Malik Nabers is seen taking questions from reporters on Wednesday in New Jersey
‘Decisions will be made when the time is right,’ Nabers said. ‘Right now, I’m just focusing on locking in and getting ready for the season.
‘There’s been talk about [surgery] — just never really came to complete thought in mind for me to do it. I’ve been managing it well. Everything has been going with the rehab.’
Wednesday was Nabers’ first practice of the offseason after missing organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp with the same lingering toe problem that has affected him since his days at LSU.
Although he said ‘time will tell’ if the injury has been resolved, Nabers insisted he ‘felt good’ at Wednesday’s practice, which is excellent news for head coach Brian Daboll & Co.
Daboll was asked about his expectations for Nabers this season, but didn’t say much beyond: ‘Keep improving.’
Russell Wilson smiles to the crowd during the first day of Giants training camp Wednesday
New York Giants’ Malik Nabers, left, and Darius Slayton practice at the team facility
As for a Giants offense that ranked 30 in yardage and 31 in points last season, Nabers is, once again, optimistic.
‘Very explosive,’ Nabers said. ‘We’ve got a lot of talent on our side of the football… Sky is the limit for us.’
Nabers specifically mentioned catching some nice passes from two of his new quarterbacks, Wilson and Dart. In particular, Nabers explained, Wilson’s energy and optimism were useful after a slow start to practice.
Although he didn’t call out Dart by name, the rookie’s first pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by cornerback Nic Jones, which appears to be when Wilson rallied his teammates.
‘He’s a great leader,’ Nabers said of Wilson. ‘He’s one of those quarterbacks that he gets everybody going, so we needed that in the huddle today. We kind of started off slow, but with Russ, with his leadership, we kind of picked things up at the end.’
Wilson did find Nabers in the corner of the end zone on Wednesday for an easy touchdown, which Giants fans are hoping will become a regular sight in 2025.
