With less than a week until the Giants’ preseason action begins in Orchard Park, excitement is building for this 2025-2026 season. Coming off a 3-14 season, there is justifiable reason for pessimism, but there is plenty to look forward to. The big difference this year compared to last is that every position will be earned, and none will be given by name value or contract details.
The Giants’ quarterback competition alone gives a lot to be excited about. Former Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson will look to revive his career with Big Blue, but it will be no easy task beating out the others in training camp. Jaxson Dart, the 22-year-old, first-round pick, seems to have the highest potential ceiling of the quarterback room but is still young with a lot to learn.
Dart seems to be a collaborative pick from General Manager Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll, so they could look to get a return on their investment early. Fan favorite and former 5k-yard passer Jameis Winston could also threaten to get some reps this year.
Malik Nabers’ development is another reason the Giants could turn things around this year. Going into year 2 after a historic first year, reports in Giants camp state that Nabers is far better than he was a year ago. It sounds hard to believe after Nabers was ranked 67th in the NFL 100, a ranking of players from players, coaches and executives from around the league. With improved quarterback play, it is not ridiculous to think that Malik could reach 1500 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, shooting himself into the top wide receiver conversations.
The Giants drastically improved their already productive defense. They already unanimously held a top 5 defensive line in football last year, then spent two of their first three draft picks on defensive linemen. The Giants spent the 3rd pick in the April NFL draft on the “generational” Abdul Carter from Penn State. Carter has off-the-charts athleticism for an edge rusher, and he will make an instant impact next to Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeau.
With the 65th pick, the Giants took elite run stuffer Darius Alexander from Toledo, who will start off playing in rush downs and will look to expand his role as he builds trust and confidence on this defense.
Finally, the Giants improved their worst defensive unit in defensive backs with two free agent signings. Paulson Adebo was signed on the first day of free agency by the Giants. The former Saint was having a career year last season until it was derailed by a broken femur in October. He is now healthy and is taking cornerback 1 reps for them. Jevon Holland, 25, was signed days later and will look to sure up the Giants’ back-end. Holland is a tackling machine who is above average in coverage as well.
The season may not be perfect at first, but one thing is undeniable. The New York Giants are building something real.
