With all of the New York Giants’ injuries to wide receivers, they’ve been forced to turn to second-year tight end Theo Johnson as a primary pass-catching option, especially in the red zone.
Johnson has had flashes of brilliance, but as any young player does, has also been frustratingly inconsistent and struggles with drops at times.
On Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the former fourth-round pick out of Penn State was held without a reception for the first time this season, with two first-half drops sticking out like a sore thumb.
But interim head coach Mike Kafka wants fans to know that Johnson is a guy the current coaching staff has a lot of faith in, and he still has their support.
Mike Kafka Defends Theo Johnson
Following Sunday’s loss, Kafka was asked about the second-year tight end’s struggles to consistently catch the ball this season.
“Theo’s a guy that we really rely on, and I think he’s a guy that’s made a lot of big plays consistently throughout the course of these last, call it, five, seven games, and is a guy that will continue to put the ball in his hands and give him opportunities down the field,” the interim coach told reporters.
“So I know he’s had some drops in the past, like that’s in the past. I have a lot of confidence in Theo and him being able to make big-time plays for us.”
The New York Giants certainly have been getting the ball into Johnson’s hands this season; he’s hauled in a career-high 45 receptions for 528 yards and five touchdowns through 15 games.
He’s been a primary redzone threat for Jaxson Dart thanks to his 6’6”, 264-pound frame, and has positively made strides since his rookie year.
If Johnson can put the work in on becoming a more consistent pass catcher, he has the opportunity to be one of the top tight ends in football, thanks to his already elite athleticism.
And it’s not just the Giants who have faith in him; one of the league’s best tight ends believes Johnson has something special brewing between him and Dart.
George Kittle Praises Theo Johnson
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle went on Jordan Schultz and Draymond Green’s podcast to talk about the up-and-coming crop of tight ends around the NFL.
Johnson was a name he specifically pointed out, and believes the future is bright for the New York Giants because of him and his burgeoning connection with Dart.
“I like Theo Johnson, and I think he’s just making plays, and the more that he plays with Jaxson, just the better those two are gonna get together,” Kittle told Schultz and Green.
“I like watching the young guys who are like, later round draft picks, kinda like myself, that just like, are just grinding and then all of a sudden they get a shot.”
Johnson is certainly getting his shot in his sophomore season, and the sky is the limit for a player with his potential.
Once he finds a consistent fix for his hands issue, he’s sure to become a top tight end in the league.
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