Isaiah Hodgins Returns to Giants in Close Loss to Packers

East Rutherford, New Jersey – Isaiah Hodgins returned to the New York Giants last Sunday against the Green Bay Packers in a 27-20 loss.

In his first game back, Hodgins proved his value in the Giants’ offense, making five receptions for 57 yards, including a key 20-yard catch. At 27 years old, Hodgins is hoping to rekindle his past success with Big Blue.

Hodgins had a notable stint with the Giants in 2022, after being claimed off waivers from the Buffalo Bills. During his first season, he made 33 receptions for 351 yards and scored four touchdowns in just five games. His breakout moment came in the Wild Card round against the Minnesota Vikings, where he recorded a career-high 105 receiving yards.

Though his performance dropped after that impressive season, Hodgins is optimistic about making an impact in the final six games of the current season. “I’m gonna try to do the same thing I did last time,” he said. “Just build off that momentum. So that’s really controlling what I can.”

Head Coach Mike Kafka praised Hodgins for his early adjustment to the team. “For a guy like Isaiah, who’s really smart, we knew that about him,” Kafka said. “But I was very impressed with how he jumped in even on that short notice.”

With the team at 2-9 and positioned for a difficult final stretch, Hodgins has the opportunity to demonstrate his ability and perhaps reclaim his form from last year.

Kafka is navigating his first head coaching position after taking over for Brian Daboll. His style includes adopting a calmer sideline presence and being more aggressive with in-game decisions. However, there are some restructuring plans, specifically scheduling changes, that have raised concerns among players.

According to The Athletic’s Dan Duggan, Kafka plans to implement a new schedule that players found frustrating in the past. His predecessor, Ben McAdoo, faced backlash for making Mondays off days, which didn’t feel like true rest days since players still had to come in for treatments.

At 2-9, the locker room response may not be what Kafka hopes for. He’s aware of the delicate balance between maintaining team morale and implementing changes after a rocky start for the Giants.

On another note, while Odell Beckham Jr. is eligible to play again after a six-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy, the Giants appear unlikely to take him back. Beckham, who has struggled with injuries and performance in the last few seasons, has become a less appealing option for a struggling Giants team.