What do you do specifically to kind of get yourself that

same juice on the road? I thought it was a special, special environment to play in front of, to be a part of.

And like I said, like outside of just the game, but just everything that encompassed that night.

But our fans really did an amazing job and had a huge impact on the game, made it hard for their offensive times to execute, just communicate.

And I think that you see it a ton in college, right? You see how much of an impact the crowd noise makes.

And then in the league, there's probably not as many that have the exact same impact.

But I thought our fans did an unbelievable job of really swinging momentum at times, but also creating chaos for the opposing offense.

How much coming out of that on the other end helped Sunday night and helped you as a quarterback going forward growing into a different player?

What was it like to have Ole back in the game?

It was great.

It was great.

Um, he's just a guy where no matter what the coverage is, no matter who they put out there on him, you have all the confidence in the world that he's gonna make a play.

And, uh, I think that we were all not 100% sure what was gonna happen.

So, um, I was just super stoked.

You know, I think that once he, he was able to feel those lights and feel the game day environment, um, you know, maybe he, he had a little bit of adrenaline.

What's it like to be able to get that first victory for Coach Harbaugh, and then what was that environment or scene like in the locker room afterwards?

What was that like to have Malik back in the game?

It was great.

It was great.

Um, he's just a guy where no matter what the coverage is, no matter who they put out there on him, you have all the confidence in the world that he's gonna make a play.

And uh, I think that we were all not 100% sure what was gonna happen.

So, um, I was just super stoked.

You know, I think that once he, he was able to feel those lights and feel the game day environment, um, you know, maybe he, he had a little bit of adrenaline and then, uh, you know, he's just a guy who, who wants to play for this team, loves the game, and I'm so happy that he was able to, to come back and have a game like this where he was just able to play really, really efficient and good football.

What's it like to be able to get that first victory for Coach Harbach, and then what was that environment or scene like in the locker room afterwards?

What's it like now having him as a teammate going into the season?

Um, from that perspective, I would say it's pretty nostalgic, just like, as a kid, you know, that's like, uh, an icon in a way, where you feel like he changed the game a little bit, like, you know, you're in your backyard as a young kid, you know, talking about like, Odell, when you catch it one hand or just things like that.

So, um, that part, it's a, it's a really cool experience from a player standpoint.

Um, just, you know, really just proud of him.

Um, you know, he came in here, he earned it.

Um, he got better each and every week and he's playing his best ball since he got here right now, um, from just alignment assignment, playing fast, getting open, uh, making plays.

So, um, you know, really proud of him and just like the dedication that he's put into to get into this point.

So five months later, how have you progressed on those types of things?

So give Giant fans an idea of what you think about your wide receiving room and how important Likely's going to be for you guys.

I think every single one of those guys are extremely important for our team and our team's success.

I've been really proud to see the growth that we've had in the wide receiver room.

We battled injuries last year, and we've kind of had a turnover of guys coming in and new faces.

What's been really special is that this has really started in the spring of guys Getting together, we had a big group of us that got together in California.

We've had multiple trips with each other in the off-season, just getting as much work in as we can.

I think what I've really loved is just the buy-in, the communication, the open communication between each other because there really is a lot of experience in that room.

It

So give Giant fans an idea of what you think about your wide receiving room and how important Likely's going to be for you guys.

I think every single one of those guys are extremely important for our team and our team's success.

I've been really proud to see the growth that we've had in the wide receiver room.

We battled injuries last year, and we've kind of had a turnover of guys coming in and new faces.

What's been really special is that this has really started in the spring of guys you know, getting together.

We had a big group of us that got together in California.

We've had, you know, multiple trips with each other in the off season, just getting as much work in as we can.

It has been, it

Is that kind of a situation now that you look back on it, an opportunity where you were able to grow as a leader and as a, as a teammate, and it's kind of brought the team closer together? Is it something you no longer regret? Like, how do you feel about that situation now as the season is about to begin?

Yeah, I mean, as a team I, I think that we've...

I mean, I know that we've all moved past it.

Um, I know that, you know, from a relationship standpoint with me and Abdul, I mean, Abdul's my brother.

Um, you know, we, we talk all of the time.

We sit by each other in every single meeting.

We warm up next to each other before practices and in games and, um, you know, we're just constantly interacting with each other and, uh, I think that when you have a group of guys who are so open and honest with each other, like it's been really cool to see all of us grow, um, with one another, and I think that that's, that's been really special to see of just the relationships that we've built, the brotherhood that we've built.

Isaiah Likely is a difference maker, I think, at tight end, so give our Giant fans an idea of what you think about your wide receiving room and how important Likely's gonna be for you guys.

So give Giant fans an idea of what you think about your wide receiving room and how important Likely's going to be for you guys.

I think every single one of those guys are extremely important for our team and our team's success.

I've been really proud to see the growth that we've had in the wide receiver room.

We battled injuries last year, and we've kind of had a turnover of guys coming in and new faces.

What's been really special is that this has really started in the spring of guys Getting together, we had a big group of us that got together in California.

We've had multiple trips with each other in the off-season, just getting as much work in as we can.

I think what I've really loved is just the buy-in, the communication, the open communication between each other because there really is a lot of experience in that room and guys running concepts a certain type of way or having experience doing this, doing that, and us just being able to communicate to try to make it the best that it can ultimately be.

it has been it

Right.

And I think that when you have a lot of experience growing up playing in different offense, playing in different systems from the time that you're in, you know, junior high, high school, all the way up to, to college, and, um, and now, like you're, you're constantly evolving as a player.

So there's a lot of things that you have repetition, um, in your bag, and maybe it hasn't been brought out in a little bit, but you have experiencing, you have experience doing it.

So, um, there's things that you gotta learn each and every year.

There's things that I'm learning still about this offense.

But what I love is that, you know, our coaches are just really trying to put our, our players in the best situations based off of, you know, what we feel comfortable with, what we can succeed at and really excel for our team to win.

Mm

... that you're, you know, you're doing the right thing.

Outside of the football, just from, like, this market, being a leader, what would you say you learned the most during this offseason?

Ooh, um...

Well, I think that the biggest thing that you learn is I think that we all have voices.

We all have weight that carries.

And I think that the biggest thing is when you're on a team, you never want to have anything really go beyond just like really the main goal of what you're chasing and that's a championship.

So, um, you know, there's, there's definitely things here in New York where, um, you gotta make sure that you're, you know, doing consistently doing the right thing.

And, um, you know, what's, what's amazing about the city is there's so many things to do, but at the same time, um, you know, you just continue to, to just keep the main thing, the main thing, which is football.

It sounds like John Harbaugh came in and sort of said – let the kid play the way he plays there are some adjustments that everybody makes as you get smarter in this league but do you get the sense that like i can just play the way i am instead of having to change the way i play because everyone's so afraid of what could happen

How much have you been able to lean on him early and how much have you been able to pick up from him so far?

Yeah, he's definitely very animated, you know, when he's explaining things.

But he's such a good coach.

You know, I had a lot of conversations with guys before I knew him in person before he got here.

guys like Travis I talked to Travis a lot during the Super Bowl week and just the amount of good things that he had to say about him the kind of man he was and the type of coach he was I was just really excited to get the chance to play for him and since I've been here he's a great teacher he's a great person and he's had a ton of experience like you said I think that he's learned you know, so much in his career so far.

So I'm just constantly trying to take in knowledge and take in coaching because he's one of the best for sure.

You've got a

Where are you mentally, physically as well, as you step into this and say, okay, I feel a lot more comfortable right now?

What's that been like for you?

Yeah, it's been great.

Kinda similar to last year, you're just learning a new system.

Um, but I feel like, you know, with being a little bit more adjusted to the NFL game, you're able to learn at a higher pace.

Um, the coaching staff that's been here is, is amazing.

I'm really excited about it.

I'm excited about what we're gonna do this year and, um, just the pieces that we've put together, um, the way that we've been ab- they've been able to install the plays and the culture that we're building, I'm, I'm really excited about it.

What are you, uh, what are your expectations for this season? A- as you sit here right now in the spring, like, what are you thinking about when you, like, dream of, what this season is gonna be like?

So how are you trying to balance that? Or are you trying to balance that?

Yeah, I think that it's, it's very situational based.

I mean, first, second down, like, all right, let's be good with our bodies here.

Like, let's not take anything that's unnecessary.

Um, in crucial situ-situations, you know, I, I promise you I'm not gonna be the one that's gonna slide before that first down.

Like, I'm gonna give it everything I got to go get that first down.

Um, and, and, and really, like-Play the game as hard as I can, and that's the style that I've played since I can ever remember, so why would I change it? It's kind of my mindset, just so...

What, was that one of the things that, um, Harbs talked to you about?

Hey Jackson what was the toughest part of going through a coaching change during your first season.

I kind of you know related back to my freshman year in college a little bit I went through something very similar it's not easy especially you know because I had a lot of love for I still have a lot of love for coach Dabes and you know I just think that you know when you have somebody who believes in you who instills you know a lot of confidence and and puts you know situations that are good around you you know you want to play good for that for that person and as a team you know we didn't do enough but it was definitely hard you know there's a lot of things that just kind of happened from then on where, you know, we're just kind of scrambling and trying to figure things to put it on the right track to finish the year out the right way.

But I felt like as a group, as guys, you know, we stuck together.

And even though that our record wasn't what it should be, you know, we had each other's back.

And I think that was important.

Who are the other NFL quarterbacks you have a relationship with and that you talk to text with whatever just you know keep in touch with because your competitors on one hand but on the other hand you know you're all in this together.

Yeah, absolutely.

You guys know how it is.

... it's a very different vibe for everyone.

Yeah, there is.

Um, but it's, it's everybody's just, like, personality.

I mean, I, I think it's just something that's really cool nowadays of, of us just as players being able to express, you know, ourselves in, in the fashion industry and the fashion world.

And, um, I know for me, you know, it's been really cool to have, like, a, a, a, an, a, a situation where me and my mom can continue to grow our relationship and our bond.

And, um, you know, she loves fashion.

She loves that side of things, so us being able to put pieces together and be creative-

Mm-hmm

Yeah.

Like, you know, our, our, our worlds kind of just revolve around this sport.

So when you have an injury like that, that takes away the game and the thing that you, that you love, um, it's really hard to go through.

So, um, definitely had a lot of prayers for him, and it was hard for us, um, you know, 'cause I think he is the best receiver in the league.

Um, but yeah, this, this year was a whirlwind.

Um, there's a lot of, you know, how I see it, there's a lot of learning moments for me, uh, to go forward, and I can't wait to get this thing rolling again.

Yeah

... or, or play completely different." Um, it was...

Hey, Jaxson, what was the toughest part of going through a coaching change during your first season?

Um, I kind of, you know, relate it back to my freshman year in college a little bit.

I went through something very similar.

Uh, it's not easy, especially, you know, 'cause I had a lot of love for...

I still have a lot of love for Coach Dabes.

And, um, you know, I just think that, you know, when you have somebody who believes in you, uh, who instills, you know, a lot of confidence in, and puts, you know, situations that are good around you, um, you know, you, you wanna play good for that, for that person.

And as, as a team, you know, we didn't do enough.

Right

Well, I think

that when you do that, I mean, first of all, there is there is a big difference from college to the NFL.

So, you know, going through training camp and OTA is like those are times for me to, you know, make decisions.

some of those mistakes and to kind of experience those struggles a little bit.

You have the valleys and the peaks a little bit that you kind of have to go through.

But I think when I got there on the field, like I was just like I said before, I've been surrounded by great people.

So from a preparation standpoint, I felt confident.

Have you considered doing some negative campaigning against Tyler Shuck? That like maybe Shuck is getting a little too much pop and didn't even play the whole season.

it, it's, it can be scary, I think, but you, you really kind of leaned into it, and, and what was that process like for you, just as a person growing into that job?

Hmm.

Yeah, first of all, I'm just so thankful, and, um, I'm grateful to have the people that, that are around me and support me.

I wouldn't be here without that.

And, um, you know, it's been a dream of mine since I was a little kid to be, you know, at this point, and, um, just gonna c- continue to grow.

Uh, but I'm definitely humbled by it.

Uh, I think just in New York, like, you have to mature fast.

Mm-hmm