Malik Nabers explodes on ‘soft as f–k’ Giants, furious at role

After he was quiet on the field, Malik Nabers exploded in the locker room.

The rookie receiver called the Giants “soft as fk” for their performance Sunday in a 30-7 loss to the Buccaneers and questioned why he isn’t more involved in the offensive game plan.

“First, second quarter, I don’t get the ball,” Nabers said. “Start getting goals at the end. I mean, can’t do anything. Start getting the ball when it’s 30-0. What do you want me to do?”

Nabers had zero targets in the first half and finished with six catches for 64 yards on nine targets.

Since returning from a two-game absence due to a concussion, Nabers has gone five straight games without a touchdown and more than 71 yards receiving — and the results look nothing like the red-hot four-game start that vindicated general manager Joe Schoen passing potential franchise quarterbacks to draft Nabers at no. 6 in total.

And now head coach/offensive play-caller Brian Daboll has a smoldering fire on his hands.

Why doesn’t Nabers get the ball in play earlier?

“Talk to Dabes about it,” Nabers said. “They come up to me and ask me what plays I want, and that was it. I don’t know.”

The quarterback switch from Daniel Jones to Tommy DeVito didn’t provide the “spark” Daboll hoped for. In fact, Naber’s finger was pointing anywhere but below the center.

“Obviously, it’s not the quarterback,” Nabers said. “Same result when we had DJ at quarterback. Take a look: That’s not the quarterback.”

Jones, who started the first 10 games of this lost season, was cut at his request Friday after being demoted to fourth string because of fears he could get hurt and trigger a $23 million injury guarantee. The Giants were 3-13 in Jones’ past 16 starts.

So if it’s not the quarterback, what is?

“I don’t know what it is,” Nabers said. “Everyone knows better than me. …gotta look in the mirror.”

Nabers sat away from the other receivers on the bench, who gathered around position coach Mike Groh at one point during the game.

“I’m tired of losing,” Nabers said. “It’s just that.”

Nabers is not alone.

Dexter Lawrence, who has been losing for much longer, echoed this sentiment.

It was part of the Giants’ pre-draft scouting reports on Nabers that he might be burning up about losing and not getting his touch.

In fact, Daboll asked Nabers directly at the NFL Combine how he handles not being involved early in the game. Nabers was honest: If he “puts in the work” during the week, “if I don’t get the ball, I’m pretty hard on it,” as seen on “Hard Knocks.”

Daboll told Nabers he was okay with that attitude because he wants guys “who f—king hate to lose.”

Well, the Giants (2-9) lose a lot and have for a decade. Speaking out is Nabers’ way of trying to create change, which Dabøll may not accept so easily.

“Everybody’s trying to lead,” Nabers said. “It’s the same result. I don’t know what different approach you have to take to it. I’m playing my heart out. I’m giving it everything I’ve got.”

Can others say the same?

“I think we’re trying to,” Nabers said. “We don’t go out there and play the sport we love to not give everything we’ve got. Straight up.”