After an impressive rookie season, tight end Daniel Bellinger looked like a steal for the New York Giants. But with the arrival of Darren Waller last offseason, Bellinger knew his role would shrink.
Interestingly, the Giants had their eyes on another big name, Rob Gronkowski, but couldn't convince him to come out of retirement.
With Waller now retiring after just one season with the Giants, Bellinger is gearing up to take on whatever the team needs from him moving forward. "Whatever they need me to do, I'm going to do," Bellinger told reporters on Tuesday. "They want me to stick my head in the dirt, go out and catch a pass; I'm going to do what they need me to do."
After showing up to minicamp bulked up last year, Bellinger is now focusing on improving his route running this offseason. "This year I've been focusing on route running stuff more," he said. "I've been taking strides in the pass game and taking steps in the run game."
With Waller and Saquon Barkley no longer on the team, there are plenty of targets to go around. The Giants are banking on Bellinger to build off his rookie success and take on a significant offensive role in 2024.
The Giants were fully prepared for Waller's retirement, which likely influenced their decision to draft Theo Johnson in the fourth round this year. Bellinger is ready to step up and do whatever the team needs, ensuring he remains a key player for the Giants.
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