Receiver Parris Campbell Eyes Goals with Giants

When the New York Giants signed wide receiver Parris Campbell to a one-year contract, they got a receiver looking to make a name for himself.

Campbell played in all 17 games last season with the Indianapolis Colts and put up decent numbers, especially given the Colts’ chaotic quarterback situation and poor play-calling. He hauled in 63 catches for 623 yards and three touchdowns, all of which are career highs.

However, it’s worth mentioning that almost every statistical category last year for Campbell was a career-high for a reason, as last season was the first time Campbell had played at least ten games in an NFL season, let alone every game.

That was because Campbell’s first three seasons were riddled with injuries. In his rookie season, he played in only seven games before suffering a broken foot that ended his season, and before that dealt with a sports hernia, a broken hand, and a pulled hamstring in training camp.

In Campbell’s second season, he played just two games and suffered season-ending injuries to his MCL and PCL in Week 2. In 2021, Campbell played in only six games before a pedal foot sprain ended his season yet again.

Overall, Campbell played in just 15 of 49 possible games during his first three seasons. Fortunately, he was able to play in every game during his contract year, but the Giants signed him to only a one-year contract because he needs to prove that he can continue to stay healthy.

Campbell, however, largely expected to sign a one-year deal.

“I’m happier that I signed a one-year because everyone knows that I dealt with injuries for the first three years,” Campbell said in an interview with hosts Bruce Murray and Kirk Morrison on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week.

“And then staying healthy last year, finally. I mean, signing a one-year deal wasn’t too much of a surprise for my agent, you know what I mean? Especially the way the market was going, it started slow with receivers.”

Campbell also said that he isn’t focused on proving everyone wrong; rather, he's intent on proving himself.

“(Last year) there was a chip on my shoulder to prove everybody wrong, and do this, and do that. But at the beginning of the season, I just looked myself in the mirror and concluded that it's not about me proving everybody wrong,” Campbell said.

“Obviously, the opinions are what they are, no matter if you're doing good, bad, or whatever. So, it was more about me just proving to myself that all these things that I saw myself doing at this level could make them come true.”

Campbell said that his main goal upon reaching the NFL was to play a full season and show his capabilities, and after doing it once, he knows he can do it again.

“Obviously, last year I got to do that, and I was extremely blessed,” Campbell said. “I was extremely grateful that even though those first three years, I was able to bounce back from everything and put together a full 17. But the thing is, there's no pressure to do it again. If anything, I have more confidence that I can do it again.”

Campbell plans on using last year’s performance as a stepping stone. He also believes the Giants’ offense will be a good fit for allowing him to play to his full potential.

“I feel like I'm only scratching the surface of what I'm capable of,” Campbell said. “And then, getting into an offense with Daniel Jones, I can just see (my play) elevating so much more. I'm just excited to go in and help those guys win some football games.”