New York Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett tests positive for COVID-19

New York Giants, Austin Mack, Jason Garrett

The New York Giants haven’t had too much serious trouble with COVID-19 this season, but that’s changing as offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has tested positive. This news comes a bit too close to the game with the Cleveland Browns for comfort, and Garrett won’t be out of isolation by the time the game happens.

The team isn’t going to leave anyone wondering about what the outcome of this will be, however. The Giants have already announced that tight ends coach Freddie Kitchens will take the spot of Garrett as the play caller for the Cleveland game.

Garrett will continue to work remotely but the temporary promotion of Kitchens will raise some eyebrows for multiple reasons. For one, the game against Cleveland is a revenge game for Kitchens as he was previously the head coach of the team. He was named the head coach in January 2019 but ended up fired only hours after the season finale that year. Kitchens also has offensive coordinator experience, as he served in the role for Cleveland before taking over as their coach.

Kitchens, who joined the Giants staff this year, is believed by some to be in the running for the Giants offensive coordinator spot if Jason Garrett leaves for a head coaching job or is fired this offseason. That situation makes it all the more interesting to see him call plays for the Giants offense on Sunday, in a possible preview of what the team could be getting.

“We are currently working with the league’s chief medical officer regarding close contacts…” the team said in a statement about Garrett. “Out of an abundance of caution, the Giants will meet remotely and will not practice today.”