John Harbaugh’s Candid Reaction to Malik Nabers’ Frustration After the Team Passed on Caleb Downs in First Round

Giants head coach John Harbaugh doesn't mind WR Malik Nabers' comments after the team drafted Ohio State LB Arvell Reese instead of Safety Caleb Downs.

John Harbaugh’s Candid Reaction to Malik Nabers’ Frustration After the Team Passed on Caleb Downs in First Round

Malik Nabers and John Harbaugh inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

In Short
  • John Harbaugh was hired as the new head coach of the New York Giants after two disappointing seasons.
  • Malik Nabers expressed frustration over the Giants drafting linebacker Arvell Reese instead of safety Caleb Downs.
  • Harbaugh praised Nabers for sharing his opinion and emphasized the importance of players caring about the team's success.

In Malik Nabers‘ two seasons in the NFL, the New York Giants finished at the bottom of the NFC East on both occasions. To change the team’s fortune, the Giants hired Super Bowl winner John Harbaugh as the new head coach.

Harbaugh conducted his first NFL Draft as the Giants’ coach last week. The Giants drafted Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese fifth overall.

Nabers, meanwhile, watched the entire process happen sitting beside Micah Parsons on the Bleacher Report’s draft show. The 22-year-old wideout was not too happy with his team’s decision to take a linebacker.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the player, but where do you play? You wanna be on the outside and rush, but we just drafted somebody last year to do that same position.

Malik Nabers said

In the 2025 draft, the Giants selected Penn State alum Abdul Carter, a linebacker, third overall. If Nabers were in general manager Joe Schoen‘s shoes, he would have drafted Reese’s teammate and safety Caleb Downs.

I would rather get him than play against [Caleb Downs]…I’m just saying that Downs was there twice. The reason why I said Caleb Downs is that you have to get them when they’re available. And, because we just traded [Dexter Lawrence], we need interior D-line [man].

Nabers said

Reporters asked Harbaugh for clarification. The veteran coach did not take any offense to Nabers’ words; instead, he praised the third-year wideout for sharing his knowledge about the draft and the player.

I appreciate [Nabers’ giving his opinion]. You know, one thing that you’ll [kind of] probably see as we go here, we don’t get too worried about stuff. You know, as long as a person’s heart is in the right place, as long as the person really cares, a player, a coach, or anybody, you really want what’s best for everybody, you’re coming from — he has a good heart and a good place, you know, say what you think. Put it out there.

John Harbaugh said

Malik Nabers does damage control after facing backlash

It only took Nabers just one year to prove that he is going to be one of the best receivers in the league. He caught 109 passes for 1204 yards and scored 7 touchdowns. Last year, his season ended after four games due to an ACL injury. He had 18 catches for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns.

John Harbaugh's Candid Reaction to Malik Nabers' Frustration After the Team Passed on Caleb Downs in First Round
Malik Nabers (Image via IMAGO)

Nabers may be new to the league, but he’s already done enough to make the football world take notice of his statements. But that does not mean fans will agree with everything he says. His comments about the Giants taking Reese at five made a lot of people on the internet angry. To keep the damage to a minimum, Nabers had to clarify his stance on the situation.

First off, we have to stop overreacting. I would never intentionally take away from the biggest moment/night of Arvell’s life. Very excited to see him play on the team and happy that we have another dawg on the squad!!

Malik Nabers tweeted

Nabers and Reese may have started off on the wrong foot, but both are teammates and will fight for the same cause. They both want to win the Super Bowl, which the Giants haven’t managed since 2011-12.

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