What Giants are saying: Players discuss season that was, offseason to come

The 2022 edition of the New York Giants was together for the final time on Sunday as players packed their bags to head off to wherever they will spend the offseason. Let’s have a listen to what many of the team’s prominent players were saying before they left.

The audio below features clips from Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley, Julian Love, Isaiah Hodgins, Evan Neal and Leonard Williams. You will find a separate Jones story here. Some of what a variety of players said is also posted below the audio.

Saquon Barkley on making the playoffs ...

“It was fun. Something I always wanted to do. I always wanted to play in the playoffs, be in the playoffs, compete for a championship. Obviously the first couple of years it didn’t happen. I believed that we would get to this spot at some point and I wanted to be part of it.”

Barkley on his contract ...

“I’m not really too concerned about re-setting any markets or anything like that. I’m realistic. I know what I was on pace to do. Having two years filled up with injuries and not performing to the level I know I can perform doesn’t help.”

Isaiah Hodgins on the future ...

“There’s a lot of momentum going into next year. This team accomplished a lot of great things this year. There’s definitely a lot to build on.”

Julian Love on possibly entering free agency ...

“I hope it doesn’t get that far, but you never know ... I’ve gotta do what’s best for me at the end of the day. It’s been a great four years here.”

Love on his first season as a starter ...

“I don’t think I played better, I think I just played more. I’ve been pretty consistent, pretty productive in whatever capacity it’s been in. This year having to hold down the fort I felt like at times I think I did a solid job ... I was leaving a lot of games this year knowing that me best effort was out there. So, yeah, I think it was a successful season for myself. Now I know what the bar is. Going forward I know what a full year as a starter is for me. It’s pretty damn good.”

Evan Neal on his rookie season ...

“I want to get better in all facets of the game, not just pass protection. I want to be a better run blocker, a better pass protector, [improve] my knowledge and IQ of the game I want to increase. Really just getting better overall.

“I feel like I made those improvements week to week, game by game this season. If you turn on the tape and watch it I believe you’ll see it.”

Neal on his future expectations ...

“I’m just going to keep working until I get there. Put my head down, keep working and I want to look up and see how good I’m going to become. Starts with putting the work in, having a good offseason.”

Leonard Williams on his troublesome neck ...

“I’m just going to rest it a lot for right now, but at the same time figure out a plan, figure out what’s going on with it. Try to find somebody I can see who can help me whether it’s recovery or strengthening or whatever it takes to get it better.

“I don’t want this to be something that’s lingering for the rest of my career.”

Xavier McKinney on the season ...

“We’ve got a lot to look forward to. I thought we had a great year. I thought we improved a lot, especially thinking back to where we came from the last two years, last three years. It’s been a major improvement. I think we’ve got a lot of things to be happy about.”

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