EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Ricky Seals-Jones made what was arguably the most spectacular reception by a Giants opponent in 2021, outjumping Adoree' Jackson in the back corner of the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown that gave Washington a fourth-quarter lead in FedExField on Sept. 16.
Though it was one of just two touchdowns he scored last season, the reception is not what Seals-Jones mentions first when he recalls that Thursday night game.
"You know, it's a victory," Seals-Jones said of Washington's 30-29 triumph. "That's how I remember it. We got the win, but now I'm here, so hopefully I can make some more plays like that in the Big Blue."
That's exactly what the Giants are hoping for after signing the free agent, a partnership that should benefit both sides. The Giants no longer have their top three tight ends from last season after Evan Engram joined the Jacksonville Jaguars and Kyle Rudolph and Kaden Smith were released. And Seals-Jones, playing for his fourth team in as many seasons and fifth overall, hopes to establish roots in New Jersey.
"I'm very anxious," he said. "I've got to do (what I do) every year, I come in and try to make plays and secure a long-term thing. So, I'm just here to try to do that here. Come in, make some plays, and help the team win and do my thing."
Why did he choose the Giants?
"I love New York, one," Seals-Jones said. "Then the coaching staff – I got a chance to talk with them a little bit and just fell in love with what they've got going on here and I wanted to be a part of it."
Seals-Jones has played for Arizona, Cleveland, Kansas City and Washington. In 54 regular-season games (15 starts), he has 90 receptions for 1,044 yards (11.6-yard avg.) and 10 touchdowns. Seals-Jones also played in two postseason games for the 2020 Chiefs team that advanced to Super Bowl LV.
In his only season in Washington, Seals-Jones played in 13 games with six starts and caught 30 passes for 271 yards and two scores, including a season-long 39-yarder vs. Kansas City.
He hopes to be a more frequent contributor in the Giants' offense.
"I feel like some places I've always been the two or three guy (on the depth chart)," Seals-Jones said. "I feel like for me just to have the opportunity to come in and fight for the one spot is good. I'm just going to come in and do my 1/11th and make sure I help the team win.
"I feel like I'm a complete tight end, so I just have to come out, work hard and show the coaches what I can do and go from there."
A native of Sealy, Texas, who caught 45 passes at Texas A&M, Seals-Jones is excited to get started in the big city, on and off the field.
"I've been to New York a couple of times," he said. "I like the fashion sense about New York, just how upbeat (it is), the subway – we don't have that in Texas. Just to be able to do something different and it's something that I like. So, for me to be here and get to see New York a little bit more and spend more time here, it'll be good."
