Malik Nabers explodes on ‘soft as f–k’ Giants, furious about not getting the ball

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

The rookie receiver called the Giants “soft as f–k” for their performance Sunday in a 30-7 loss to the Buccaneers and questioned why he is not more involved in the offensive game plan.

“First, second quarter, I don’t get the ball,” Nabers said. “Start getting targets at the end. I mean, can’t do nothing. 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 he returned 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 justified general manager Joe Schoen passing over potential franchise quarterbacks to draft Nabers at No. 6 overall.

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

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

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

The quarterback change from Daniel Jones to Tommy DeVito did not provide the “spark” Daboll hoped. In fact, Nabers was pointing the finger anywhere but under center.

“Obviously, it ain’t the quarterback,” Nabers said. “Same outcome when we had DJ at quarterback. Take a look: It ain’t 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 a fear that he might get hurt and activate a $23 million injury guarantee. The Giants were 3-13 in Jones’ last 16 starts.

So, if it is not the quarterback, what is it then?

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

Nabers was seated away from the other receivers on the bench who were 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 lost for a lot longer, echoed that sentiment.

It was part of the Giants’ predraft scouting reports on Nabers that he might combust over losing and not getting his touches.

In fact, Daboll asked Nabers point-blank at the NFL Combine how he handles not being involved early in the game. Nabers was honest: If he is “putting in the work” during the week, “if I’m not getting the ball, I’m pretty hard on it,” as seen on “Hard Knocks.”

Daboll told Nabers that he was OK with that attitude because he wants guys “that hate f–king losing.”

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

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

Can others say the same?

“I believe we are trying to,” Nabers said. “We’re not going out there playing the sport we love to not give everything we’ve got. Straight up.”