Former Giants coach Martindale defends Malik Nabers after broadcast analyst questions his character

New York Giants star wide receiver Malik Nabers has had his on-field demeanour questioned by broadcast analyst and former player Greg Olsen. Olsen criticised Nabers' sideline body language during Sunday's broadcast, and Nabers later responded on social media.

Former Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale has come to Nabers' defence in the dispute. Despite a messy split with the team in 2024, Martindale said he harbours no bad blood toward the receiver.

Appearing on the Giants podcast 'Talkin' Ball', Martindale said: "I'm with Malik on this. Somebody put that in his ear, whether it's to keep his contract down for the next year when they want to extend him or whatever it is, I don't know. But just keep playing." He added: "I love the kid. I love his competitiveness."

During the Giants' visit to Philadelphia on Sunday, Olsen and boothmate Joe Davis kept pointing to Nabers' 'negative' body language on the sideline. They also called him out for pouting after a Giants drive finished with an Isaiah Likely touchdown. Davis said: "His body language has been terrible today."

Olsen said he had played with many really good wide receivers and that every great receiver has demanded the ball, which comes with the territory. But he said there is a fine line between being demanding and being a competitor, and letting it take away from teammates' success. "When your teammate catches a wide-open touchdown, you need to be the happiest guy on the field. You can't still be worried about your targets," he said. Calling Nabers a talented, young, really good player, Olsen said he has to keep it in check.

Martindale said that thinking about the great players John Harbaugh has coached shows such situations are nothing new. Asked whether the story gets blown up more because it is in New York, he said of course it does, but that it is nothing new for Harbaugh.

Martindale knows about friction inside the New York building himself. After months of simmering tension during the 2023 season, his tenure imploded in January 2024 after head coach Brian Daboll fired Martindale's trusted defensive assistants. Martindale reportedly cursed out Daboll and stormed out, before the two sides mutually parted ways.

Despite showing visible frustration during the Giants' 19-11 win in Philadelphia, Nabers' commitment was never questioned by his locker room. After four straight 100-yard games, he finished this game with five catches for 43 yards.

Giants players publicly defended Nabers as a 'good teammate'. Running back Cam Skattebo said Nabers' sideline annoyance when he lacks targets simply reflects a competitive edge that teammates love to see.