It’s only June. It’s only OTAs. But for Jalin Hyatt, the signs are flashing louder than ever: his NFL career might not be over after all.
Coming off a frustrating 2024 season and buried on the depth chart behind Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Darius Slayton, Hyatt was at risk of fading into obscurity with the New York Giants.
But then something unexpected happened.
Russell Wilson started looking his way — and kept doing it.
From moon shots to crisp slants, Wilson and Hyatt have been connecting repeatedly during OTA sessions, drawing attention from coaches, teammates, and fans alike.
What began as a few reps turned into a rhythm. That rhythm is now starting to look like a real connection.
Building Something Special in Spring Workouts
The early buzz around Wilson and Hyatt isn’t just hype. It’s substance.
During six days of OTAs, the two have developed a timing and trust that doesn’t come easily, especially between a new quarterback and a receiver fighting for relevance.
Wilson has consistently targeted Hyatt in both deep and intermediate routes. One jaw-dropping moment came during 7-on-7 drills when Wilson uncorked a 40-yard bomb — perfectly placed, perfectly timed — and Hyatt hauled it in without breaking stride.
That kind of throw doesn’t just turn heads. It turns the seasons around.
The Secret Ingredient: Intentional Preparation
This wasn’t a random fluke or an offseason coincidence.
Even before OTAs kicked off, Wilson made it clear he believed in Hyatt’s potential. He called him “untapped.” He invited him out to Los Angeles for private workouts. And now, he’s giving him every chance to prove it on the field.
Assistant GM Brandon Brown confirmed the joint training sessions, but it’s what’s happening at Giants Park that’s telling the real story.
Hyatt is taking full advantage of Nabers’ absence, earning more first-team reps and showing off the speed and route-running that made him such a promising draft pick coming out of Tennessee.
And Wilson? He’s treating Hyatt like more than just a project — he’s treating him like a weapon.
What This Means for Hyatt’s Future
Let’s be honest — Hyatt still has a lot to prove.
His rookie year didn’t go as planned. His production dipped. His confidence seemed shaken. For a while, it looked like he might become another name lost in the shuffle.
But here’s the thing about football: careers can change overnight.
If Wilson keeps leaning on him, if their chemistry continues to grow, and if Hyatt can maintain this momentum into training camp and preseason games, there’s no reason he can’t earn a real role in this offense.
At worst, he’s making himself valuable trade bait.
At best? He becomes a breakout story — a forgotten man who found a lifeline in the most unlikely of places.
Final Thought: Hope Can Be a Powerful Thing
For Giants fans starved for optimism, the idea of Russell Wilson helping revive a struggling young player is more than just feel-good stuff — it’s meaningful.
It shows that Wilson isn’t just going through the motions. He’s invested. He’s coaching. He’s leading. And he’s building relationships that could shape the entire identity of this offense.
Is it too early to say this will save Hyatt’s career?
Absolutely.
But is it fair to say that something special is starting to form?
You bet it is.
