Sterling Shepard reflects on likely end to Giants career

Veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard seems to understand he's in the final weeks of his time serving as an active player for the New York Giants. 

"I’m so blessed," Shepard told Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. "It’s hard for me to be mad and I definitely can’t be mad at the Giants. I ain’t mad at anybody. It’s hard to say how I feel. I don’t know how to describe it, it’s kinda like up and down but that’s just life and you got to fight through it the best way you can. The way I do it is by enjoying my time with my boys."

Shepard has featured only for the Giants since they spent a second-round pick to grab him in the 2016 NFL Draft, but injuries limited him to just 10 games across the 2021-2022 campaigns before he signed a one-year contract with the club this past offseason. The 30-year-old now is largely an afterthought in the offense run by head coach Brian Daboll, and logic suggests Shepard has no future as a player with the Giants beyond Week 18. 

Shepard thus far has recorded seven receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown this season. 

"It’s tough man," Shepard acknowledged. "It’s not the ideal situation for me at this point in my career. You just got to find the blessing in it all and that’s what I try to do every day, try to look at the positives. I’ve had to overcome a lot to still be in this position. If I do call it quits at least I can say I went out on my own terms."

Schwartz noted that Shepard could remain in the New York/New Jersey area after the ongoing season and "get into the media." It's also believed Shepard could serve as a coach, possibly for the Giants, as soon as next year. 

"I love this place," Shepard added during his conversation with Schwartz. "I love everybody upstairs. They’ve treated me so well my whole career. I’m just very grateful for being in the position I’m in. Not too many people can say they’ve been somewhere for eight years and I realize how special that is."