Joe Judge‘s time as head coach of the New York Giants was marked by challenges, and it seems he’s still facing criticism from former players. Recently, ex-Giants wide receiver Golden Tate shared his thoughts on Judge during a video interview, and his comments were anything but complimentary.

Reflecting on his final season with the Giants in 2020, Tate described that year as “interesting.” He specifically pointed out the difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, stating, “My last year was during the COVID year, and that just sucked.”

The absence of fans in the stadium made games feel like practice sessions rather than competitive outings, which Tate likened to a “scrimmage.” This lack of atmosphere contributed to a frustrating experience for players, making it hard to find motivation and energy on the field.

Tate didn’t stop there; he reserved some of his sharpest criticism for Judge himself. He referred to him as “one of the Patriots descendants,” implying that Judge was trying to replicate the successful formula of New England‘s legendary coach Bill Belichick. Tate remarked that Judge attempted to “remake the wheel by trying to do everything like Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, and it did not fly.”

This highlights a recurring theme among former Patriots coaches who have struggled to find success elsewhere, including Josh McDaniels and Charlie Weis. They often try to instill a strict, no-nonsense, team-first mentality but lack the credentials and the star power-like Brady-to back it up.

Tate slams Judge’s leadership during pandemic season

Interestingly, Tate’s comments come despite Judge’s initial success during his first season, where he garnered positive reviews. The Giants showed signs of improvement, and many believed hiring Judge was a step in the right direction. However, the optimism didn’t last long. The following season in 2021 saw the team falter dramatically, leading to Judge’s dismissal late in the year.

Tate’s perspective sheds light on the underlying issues within the Giants organization during that time. His remarks suggest that even during the season when Judge seemed to be making progress, there were significant problems that ultimately contributed to the team’s decline. It’s clear that Tate feels Judge’s approach was misguided, and he’s not shy about voicing his opinion.