2026 New York Giants Season Outlook

The New York Giants enter the 2026 season beginning a new era under John Harbaugh.

New York finished 4-13 in 2025, but rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart provided the franchise with a legitimate source of optimism. Dart won several games after entering the starting lineup, produced 22 total touchdowns through his first 11 starts and closed the year by completing 22 of 32 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Dallas.

The Giants responded to another losing season by replacing Brian Daboll with Harbaugh and constructing an experienced coaching staff around their young quarterback. Matt Nagy became offensive coordinator, former Titans coach Brian Callahan was hired as passing-game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Dennard Wilson took over the defense and Chris Horton became assistant head coach and special-teams coordinator.

The roster was also significantly reshaped.

New York traded Dexter Lawrence to Cincinnati for the 10th overall pick, then used two top-10 selections on linebacker Arvell Reese and offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa. The Giants added Isaiah Likely, Patrick Ricard, Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin III, Greg Newsome II, Tremaine Edmunds, DJ Reader and several experienced defensive backs and linemen.

This is a better-coached and more balanced roster than the one that won four games. The Giants nevertheless remain a developmental team whose ultimate trajectory depends on Dart becoming a high-level starting quarterback.

Offense

Quarterback

Jaxson Dart enters his second season as the unquestioned starter.

Dart’s rookie year demonstrated why New York traded into the first round to select him. He showed:

• Strong competitive toughness.
• Mobility and designed-run value.
• Confidence attacking downfield.
• The ability to create outside structure.
• Red-zone rushing production.
• Leadership that quickly resonated with teammates.

He also experienced normal rookie difficulties. Dart occasionally held the ball too long, exposed himself to unnecessary contact and attempted difficult throws when a safer completion was available.

Those tendencies were evident in his first start, when he led the Giants to a victory over the previously unbeaten Chargers but was sacked five times while carrying the ball 10 times.

The new offensive staff should help.

Nagy arrives after working in Kansas City, while Callahan has extensive experience developing quarterbacks and constructing passing games. Greg Roman also joined the staff as a senior offensive assistant, giving Harbaugh several coaches with complementary offensive backgrounds.

The likely structure will combine:

• Nagy’s spread concepts and formation variation.
• Callahan’s timing and protection work.
• Roman’s quarterback-run and physical rushing concepts.
• Harbaugh’s emphasis on situational football.
• More play-action and movement throws.
• Designed opportunities for Dart without treating him as a running back.

Dart’s principal developmental goals are:

• Becoming more decisive against pressure.
• Reducing sacks.
• Protecting himself when scrambling.
• Improving timing on intermediate routes.
• Taking underneath completions.
• Developing greater consistency from week to week.

Jameis Winston and Brandon Allen provide experienced backup options. Winston offers greater big-play potential, while Allen has extensive familiarity with NFL offensive systems and can operate a more controlled passing game.

Dart gives New York a realistic chance to escape the quarterback cycle that defined recent seasons. The next step is showing that his exciting rookie production can become sustainable winning football.

Running back and fullback

The Giants have a deep and complementary backfield.

Cam Skattebo emerged as an immediate tone-setting runner during his rookie season. His physicality, contact balance and receiving ability fit Harbaugh’s preference for a tough, downhill offense.

Tyrone Tracy Jr. remains the group’s most explosive runner. His background as a receiver gives him flexibility in the passing game, while his acceleration can punish defenses when blocking creates space.

Devin Singletary supplies experience, patience and pass-protection reliability.

The Giants can structure the rotation as follows:

• Skattebo handling physical early-down and short-yardage work.
• Tracy receiving outside-zone, receiving and change-of-pace opportunities.
• Singletary contributing on passing downs and selected series.
• Dart remaining part of the option and red-zone running game.

Patrick Ricard may become one of the offense’s most influential additions.

The longtime Ravens fullback understands Harbaugh’s expectations and can align as a fullback, H-back, tight end or additional blocker. His presence allows New York to create heavier formations without making the play call obvious.

Ricard can help the offense:

• Improve short-yardage efficiency.
• Protect Dart on play-action.
• Create additional gaps in the running game.
• Support the tackles against elite edge rushers.
• Use motion to identify defensive coverage.
• Control games when New York has a lead.

The backfield does not include a proven elite runner, but it is deep enough to create a productive committee.

Wide receiver

Malik Nabers remains the clear centerpiece of the receiving corps.

Nabers has the route-running ability, acceleration and competitiveness to become one of the NFL’s premier receivers. He can win from the slot or outside and is capable of producing after the catch rather than relying exclusively on downfield targets.

The objective for the new staff should be to create easier opportunities for him.

New York should use Nabers through:

• Motion.
• Stacks and bunches.
• Quick screens.
• Intermediate crossing routes.
• Slot alignments.
• Isolated boundary routes.
• Play-action concepts that force safeties toward the running game.

The Giants substantially improved the depth behind him.

Darnell Mooney gives the offense an established vertical and intermediate receiver. Calvin Austin III adds speed, return ability and quickness from the slot or outside. The Giants later added Odell Beckham Jr., JuJu Smith-Schuster and Braxton Berrios, creating a crowded competition for complementary roles.

Third-round rookie Malachi Fields adds size.

Fields is approximately 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds and averaged 17.5 yards per reception during his final college season at Notre Dame. He should compete for boundary, red-zone and possession work.

The projected hierarchy is:

1. Malik Nabers
2. Darnell Mooney
3. Calvin Austin III or a veteran possession receiver
4. Malachi Fields
5. Odell Beckham Jr., JuJu Smith-Schuster, Braxton Berrios or another special-teams option

Wan’Dale Robinson’s departure removes an established slot target, but New York has replaced one clearly defined role with a much broader range of options. Giants.com identified receiver depth as one of the primary offensive camp competitions.

The group’s ceiling depends on Nabers’ health and whether Mooney or another veteran becomes a dependable second target.

Tight end

Tight end has become a major strength.

Isaiah Likely was one of New York’s most important free-agent additions. His athleticism, route-running and yards-after-catch ability make him an ideal target for Dart and a natural fit within an offense incorporating several concepts from Baltimore.

Theo Johnson remains a promising young receiving option. His size and movement skills allow him to attack seams, crossing routes and red-zone matchups.

Chris Manhertz provides the most established blocking profile.

The Giants can create numerous combinations:

• Likely detached from the formation.
• Johnson aligned as the traditional tight end.
• Ricard in the backfield.
• Manhertz functioning as an additional blocker.
• Two- and three-tight-end personnel without eliminating receiving threats.
• Play-action concepts designed to isolate Likely against linebackers.

Likely could become Dart’s second-most reliable target behind Nabers.

The principal challenge is distribution. New York has enough tight ends and receivers to create varied packages, but the offense must avoid substituting so frequently that it becomes difficult to establish rhythm.

Offensive line

The offensive line remains the offense’s most important variable.

Four of the five primary 2025 starters returned, and the Giants then used the 10th overall selection on Francis Mauigoa.

The projected starting lineup is:

• Left tackle: Andrew Thomas
• Left guard: Jon Runyan Jr.
• Center: John Michael Schmitz Jr.
• Right guard: Francis Mauigoa or a veteran competitor
• Right tackle: Jermaine Eluemunor, Daniel Faalele or Mauigoa

Thomas remains the foundation.

When healthy, he is one of the NFL’s better left tackles and gives Dart a dependable blindside protector. His availability has repeatedly changed the quality of the entire offense, however, and New York must plan for the possibility that he misses time.

Runyan provides veteran stability at left guard.

Schmitz enters a critical season at center. He must become more consistent with protection communication and interior pass blocking.

Mauigoa is the major addition.

The Miami product was widely projected as a Day 1 right tackle, but the Giants can also use him at guard depending on the performance of Eluemunor, Faalele and the other interior candidates. His power and aggressive style fit Harbaugh’s preferred offensive identity.

The Giants also signed Faalele, Lucas Patrick, Aaron Stinnie and Joshua Ezeudu, then selected J.C. Davis in the sixth round. Davis ended his college career with 49 consecutive starts and was among the nation’s highest-graded left tackles in 2025.

A reasonable projection is:

• Thomas at left tackle.
• Runyan at left guard.
• Schmitz at center.
• Mauigoa at right guard.
• Eluemunor or Faalele at right tackle.

New York could also place Mauigoa at right tackle and use a veteran at guard.

The unit has greater depth and power than it did last season. It remains vulnerable if Thomas misses time or the center and right-side combinations do not stabilize.

An average offensive line would allow Dart, Nabers and the running backs to develop normally. Another poor protection season would place too much responsibility on Dart’s improvisation.

Defense

Defensive identity

Dennard Wilson takes over a defense undergoing major structural change.

Wilson has experience coaching aggressive secondary play and varied pressure structures. The Giants also hired Charlie Bullen as run-game coordinator and outside-linebackers coach, giving the staff another experienced voice for a front built around Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and rookie Arvell Reese.

The defense’s strengths should be:

• Edge pressure.
• Linebacker speed.
• Secondary versatility.
• Multiple pressure presentations.
• Improved depth at cornerback and safety.

Its largest concern is replacing Dexter Lawrence.

Defensive line

The Giants made one of the offseason’s boldest decisions by trading Lawrence to Cincinnati for the 10th overall pick.

Lawrence had been New York’s best interior defender and one of the league’s premier defensive tackles. The trade allowed the Giants to select Mauigoa, but it created an enormous vacancy in the middle of the defense.

New York attempted to replace Lawrence through depth and rotation rather than one comparable star.

The primary additions include:

• DJ Reader.
• Shelby Harris.
• Leki Fotu.
• Zacch Pickens.
• Josh Tupou.
• Sam Roberts.

Second-year defender Darius Alexander is also expected to compete for a major role, while sixth-round rookie Bobby Jamison-Travis adds additional nose-tackle size.

Reader is the most important addition.

He has the size, strength and experience to anchor the interior and occupy double teams. He is not the same pass-rushing force as Lawrence, but he can prevent the defensive structure from collapsing against physical running attacks.

Harris gives the group veteran penetration and passing-down experience.

Fotu, Tupou and Jamison-Travis offer additional size, while Alexander and Pickens provide greater movement ability.

The likely structure is:

• Reader as the leading nose tackle.
• Alexander and Harris competing for attacking roles.
• Fotu, Tupou and Jamison-Travis contributing in heavier fronts.
• Pickens and Roberts rotating according to matchup.

The group is deep but lacks elite interior disruption. Opponents will test whether New York can stop the run without Lawrence and whether anyone can consistently collapse the pocket from inside.

Edge rushers

Edge defender is the greatest defensive strength.

Brian Burns remains the group’s most accomplished player. His speed, bend and ability to rush from multiple alignments make him one of the NFC’s better pressure players.

Kayvon Thibodeaux enters another important season. His physical traits remain outstanding, but the Giants need more consistent snap-to-snap pressure and run defense.

Arvell Reese creates an additional dimension.

New York selected Reese fifth overall after a 2025 season in which he recorded 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks for Ohio State. Harbaugh has indicated the Giants have a versatile plan for him rather than viewing him as one fixed-position defender.

Reese can potentially align as:

• An outside linebacker.
• An off-ball linebacker.
• An interior pressure player.
• A quarterback spy.
• An overhang defender.
• A movable rusher in third-down packages.

The Giants can build pressure combinations featuring Burns, Thibodeaux and Reese simultaneously, forcing offenses to decide which side receives protection assistance.

The depth includes Khalid Kareem, Caleb Murphy and several younger rushers.

The top three have significant upside. The defense’s pressure ceiling will depend on whether Thibodeaux and Reese consistently take advantage of attention directed toward Burns.

Inside linebacker

Inside linebacker has also been rebuilt.

Tremaine Edmunds becomes the most established veteran. His size, range and coverage ability give Wilson a linebacker capable of handling significant communication responsibility.

Micah McFadden returns after re-signing and remains a productive run defender and tackler.

Darius Muasau provides another young option with starting experience, while sixth-round rookie Jack Kelly enters after recording 31.5 sacks and 43.5 tackles for loss during his college career.

Reese may also take snaps inside, depending on the package.

The likely primary rotation is:

• Edmunds as the leading three-down linebacker.
• McFadden contributing heavily against the run.
• Muasau rotating according to coverage and matchup.
• Reese moving between inside and outside roles.
• Kelly contributing initially on special teams and in pressure packages.

Bobby Okereke’s release removed an experienced communicator, but Edmunds gives the group greater length and coverage potential.

The position has improved athleticism. It must prove that the new combinations can diagnose play-action, fit the run correctly and communicate within Wilson’s pressure system.

Cornerback

The cornerback room is deeper and more competitive than it was one year ago.

Paulson Adebo remains the leading returning outside corner.

The Giants added Greg Newsome II, giving them an experienced player capable of aligning outside or in the slot.

Second-round rookie Colton Hood should compete immediately. The Giants selected him after using their first two choices on Reese and Mauigoa, making him one of the most important young players in the secondary.

The group also includes:

• Deonte Banks.
• Korie Black.
• Art Green.
• Thaddeus Dixon.
• Several developmental defensive backs.

The primary competition appears to involve Newsome, Hood, Banks and the younger corners around Adebo. Giants.com identified cornerback as one of the principal defensive camp battles.

A possible alignment is:

• Adebo outside.
• Newsome outside or in the slot.
• Hood competing for the other outside role.
• Banks receiving another opportunity to establish himself.
• Black and Green contributing through depth and special teams.

The room has size, speed and options, but no universally established shutdown player. The secondary will benefit if Burns, Thibodeaux and Reese force quarterbacks to release the ball quickly.

Safety

Safety has become one of the roster’s deepest defensive groups.

Jevón Holland remains the leading playmaker. His range and versatility allow New York to use him deep, in the slot or closer to the line.

Tyler Nubin enters his third season with an opportunity to become a more consistent starter and communicator.

Jason Pinnock returned to the Giants after a season away, while Ar’Darius Washington and Elijah Campbell were added through free agency.

The group also includes several developmental players and special-teams contributors.

The Giants can use combinations featuring:

• Holland as the primary deep safety.
• Nubin closer to the line.
• Washington in coverage-oriented packages.
• Pinnock as a versatile third safety.
• Campbell contributing in sub-packages and special teams.

Safety should be a strength, provided Holland remains healthy and Nubin continues developing.

Special teams

Special teams should improve under Harbaugh and Chris Horton.

Harbaugh began his NFL coaching career in special teams, while Horton spent 12 seasons on Harbaugh’s Baltimore staff and coached several Pro Bowl specialists.

The Giants signed Jordan Stout to take over at punter. His familiarity with Horton should ease the transition.

Kicker remains unsettled.

Graham Gano and Jason Sanders were released, leaving undrafted rookie Dominic Zvada and other candidates to compete.

The return competition includes:

• Calvin Austin III.
• Braxton Berrios.
• Tyrone Tracy Jr.
• Devin Singletary.
• Reserve receivers and defensive backs.

Austin has extensive punt-return experience, while Berrios has handled both kickoffs and punts.

The coaching foundation and return options are strong. Kicker is the major uncertainty.

Most important offseason additions

• HC John Harbaugh: Proven winner and organizational stabilizer.
• OC Matt Nagy: Experienced offensive designer for Dart.
• TE Isaiah Likely: Dynamic receiving tight end.
• FB Patrick Ricard: Blocking, formation and leadership value.
• WR Darnell Mooney: Proven vertical and intermediate target.
• WR Calvin Austin III: Speed and return-game value.
• LB Tremaine Edmunds: Experienced three-down linebacker.
• CB Greg Newsome II: Starting-caliber coverage versatility.
• DT DJ Reader: Primary replacement in the defensive interior.
• S Ar’Darius Washington: Coverage and sub-package depth.
• OL Daniel Faalele: Massive guard and tackle competition.
• LB Arvell Reese: Fifth-overall selection and defensive chess piece.
• OL Francis Mauigoa: Top-10 blocker and immediate starter.
• CB Colton Hood: Early secondary contributor.

Most important departures

• DT Dexter Lawrence: Traded to Cincinnati for the 10th overall pick.
• WR Wan’Dale Robinson: Established slot production.
• LB Bobby Okereke: Starting linebacker and communicator.
• G Greg Van Roten: Veteran starting guard.
• P Jamie Gillan: Replaced by Jordan Stout.
• K Graham Gano and Jason Sanders: Kicking operation reset.
• Several reserve defensive backs and linemen: Replaced during the roster overhaul.

Lawrence is by far the most significant loss.

Mauigoa could become a long-term offensive cornerstone, but the trade creates an immediate defensive weakness that New York must replace through several less dominant players.

Draft-class outlook

The Giants selected seven players:

Round	Player	Position	Projected early role
1	Arvell Reese	Linebacker/edge	Immediate defensive packages and starting role
1	Francis Mauigoa	Offensive line	Immediate starter at guard or right tackle
2	Colton Hood	Cornerback	Starting competition and sub-packages
3	Malachi Fields	Wide receiver	Boundary and red-zone rotation
6	Bobby Jamison-Travis	Defensive tackle	Early-down interior depth
6	J.C. Davis	Offensive line	Swing-tackle and developmental depth
6	Jack Kelly	Linebacker	Special teams and pressure packages

Reese and Mauigoa will define the class.

Reese must become a disruptive, versatile defender capable of affecting both the run and pass. Mauigoa must stabilize an offensive line that has hindered Giants quarterbacks for years.

Hood has a realistic path to a rookie starting role because the cornerback hierarchy remains unsettled.

Fields provides a type of receiver New York lacked: a large boundary and red-zone target.

Jamison-Travis has an opportunity to contribute because Lawrence’s departure created additional interior snaps.

Davis may become valuable quickly if Thomas or one of the right-side starters misses time.

Schedule assessment

The Giants face a challenging schedule, but the opening two months contain several winnable games.

New York opens at home against Dallas on Sunday night before traveling to face the Rams on Monday night. The Giants then host Tennessee and Arizona, travel to Washington, host New Orleans and visit Houston before a Week 8 bye.

The opening stretch includes:

• Two prime-time games immediately.
• A difficult trip to face the Rams.
• Manageable home games against Tennessee, Arizona and New Orleans.
• An important early divisional game at Washington.
• A road game against Houston’s elite defense.

The schedule becomes more difficult after the bye.

New York travels to Philadelphia, hosts Washington and Jacksonville, visits Indianapolis and then faces San Francisco. The final five games include trips to Seattle, Detroit and Dallas before a home finale against Philadelphia.

The most difficult closing sequence is:

• At Seattle.
• Cleveland at home.
• At Detroit.
• At Dallas.
• Philadelphia at home.

The Giants face the NFC West and AFC South, along with same-place opponents Cleveland, New Orleans and Detroit.

Important schedule characteristics include:

• Two prime-time games to begin the season.
• A Week 8 bye.
• Philadelphia immediately after the bye.
• Three of the final five games on the road.
• Four games against Philadelphia and Dallas.
• Road games against the Rams, Texans, Seahawks and Lions.
• Several manageable home opponents during the first half.

The Giants must take advantage of Tennessee, Arizona and New Orleans at home. Those games will determine whether New York remains relevant in December.

Final prediction

Projected record: 7-10

Projected NFC East finish: Fourth place

The Giants should improve, but the NFC East remains difficult.

Philadelphia is a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Dallas has an elite passing-game foundation and improved defense. Washington has Jayden Daniels and a credible bounce-back roster.

New York has the least proven offense and the greatest number of questions along the offensive and defensive interior.

The Giants’ realistic range is approximately 5-12 to 9-8.

The upper end becomes attainable if:

• Dart takes a major second-year step.
• Nabers remains healthy.
• Likely becomes a high-volume target.
• Mauigoa immediately improves the offensive line.
• Thomas plays most of the season.
• Skattebo and Tracy form a productive backfield.
• Reese contributes immediately.
• Reader stabilizes the defensive interior.
• Hood or Newsome becomes a dependable outside corner.
• Harbaugh produces a major situational-football improvement.

The lower end becomes possible if Dart continues taking excessive sacks, Thomas misses significant time or the defense cannot replace Lawrence’s interior impact.

Postseason probabilities

Outcome	Estimated probability
Make the playoffs	20%
Win the NFC East	5%
Earn a top-two NFC seed	Below 1%
Win first playoff game	29% if participating
Win divisional round	12% if participating
Win NFC Championship Game	5% if participating
Win Super Bowl LXI	2% if participating
Overall probability of winning Super Bowl LXI	Below 1%

These are analytical preseason estimates rather than sportsbook odds.

Most likely postseason result

The most likely outcome is a more competitive season that ends outside the playoffs.

The Giants have a plausible wild-card formula:

• Dart develops into an efficient dual-threat quarterback.
• Nabers becomes a dominant No. 1 receiver.
• Likely and Mooney improve the middle and vertical passing game.
• Mauigoa stabilizes the right side of the line.
• Skattebo, Tracy and Ricard create a physical running identity.
• Burns, Thibodeaux and Reese generate consistent pressure.
• The secondary takes advantage of hurried throws.
• Harbaugh improves game management and special teams.

The obstacle is the NFC East.

New York may need nine or 10 victories to secure a wild-card spot, and that would require a much faster offensive-line and defensive transition than is safe to project.

If the Giants qualify unexpectedly, they would almost certainly enter as a low wild-card seed. Dart’s mobility and the edge rush could make them dangerous in one game, but winning several postseason road games would be improbable.

Overall verdict

The Giants are finally building around a coherent quarterback and coaching structure.

Their greatest strengths are:

• Jaxson Dart’s developmental upside.
• Malik Nabers’ star potential.
• A deeper receiving corps.
• Isaiah Likely and Theo Johnson at tight end.
• A varied Skattebo-Tracy-Singletary backfield.
• Patrick Ricard’s blocking and formation flexibility.
• Andrew Thomas when healthy.
• Francis Mauigoa’s immediate upside.
• Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the edge.
• Arvell Reese’s versatility.
• An improved cornerback and safety rotation.
• John Harbaugh’s experience.
• Chris Horton’s special-teams background.

The principal risks are:

• Dart’s sack and contact exposure.
• Heavy dependence on Nabers.
• Thomas’ recent availability.
• Uncertainty at center and right guard.
• Mauigoa’s rookie adjustment.
• Trading away Dexter Lawrence.
• No comparable interior defensive star.
• Limited proven edge depth behind Burns and Thibodeaux.
• A new linebacker hierarchy.
• No established shutdown corner.
• An unsettled kicking job.
• A difficult late-season schedule.
• Playing in the NFC East.

Final forecast: 7-10, fourth in the NFC East and outside the playoffs.

New York should be substantially more competitive and better organized than it was during its 4-13 season. Dart, Nabers, Reese and Mauigoa provide a credible young foundation, while Harbaugh gives the franchise the stability it has lacked.

The season’s defining result will not necessarily be the final record. It will be whether Dart establishes himself as a legitimate long-term franchise quarterback and whether the Giants can protect him well enough to evaluate his full potential.