Landon Collins, who signed with the Giants last week as he reunited with his original team, spoke to reporters on Wednesday.
Shortly after Collins donned his familiar No. 21 and worked with the linebackers at practice, he gave his thoughts about his departure from New York after the 2018 season.
And Collins made it clear that former Giants GM Dave Gettleman was the reason he left.
"That was my only concern. I want fans to understand that," Collins told reporters. "It wasn’t the Giants. It was Dave Gettleman. ... I wanted to stay, but Gettleman didn’t want me here."
Added Collins about his return to Big Blue:
"It’s humbling for sure, coming from ... you're at the top bar and you’re coming, I wouldn't say at the bottom but back to ground one and building your way back up.''
The 28-year-old Collins played for the Giants from his rookie year in 2015 through the end of the 2018 season, making the Pro Bowl three times and being named a First-Team AP All-Pro in 2016.
Collins signed with Washington as a free agent before the 2019 season, inking a six-year deal worth $84 million after the Giants decided against extending him and opted to not place the franchise tag on him.
Collins was released by the Washington Commanders in March.
After signing with the Giants, Collins joined the team in London ahead of last Sunday's win against the Green Bay Packers, but was not active for the game.