Why the Giants Could Look Very Different Next Season

The New York Giants have been rebuilding their team for six years. In reality, it should have been that way, yet due to coaching changes and player turnover, the Giants remain near the bottom of the league. This past season showed glimpses of what could come when the Giants are able to execute and make plays consistently. The Giants were considered a top team to reach the playoffs, but ultimately, injuries and other areas of struggle caused things to fall apart. On paper, the roster looked promising. However, the execution did not unfold as it should have. Next season could be explosive in the Big Apple if the Giants play their cards correctly.

With the decision to retain general manager Joe Schoen, it is now his responsibility to determine who will fill the Giants’ coaching vacancies. The Giants need to fill three positions: head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator. Whoever is hired will be tasked with addressing the team’s gaps and putting the roster pieces in the right roles. This team is no longer particularly young. Many players have been with the Giants as long as former head coach Brian Daboll, including those who overlapped with former quarterback Daniel Jones. The next coach must understand what the roster already has and what still needs to be fixed. Last season, the Giants struggled in nearly every aspect of play-calling.

The offensive line appeared reasonably assembled at the start of the season. However, once Jaxson Dart stepped in during week four, veteran quarterback Russell Wilson was benched for the remainder of the year. Dart consistently played with a plan and followed through on his decisions. Dart and Cam Skattebo were often the primary playmakers on offense. It also helped when Dart was able to connect with wide receiver Malik Nabers. Both Skattebo and Nabers are expected to return for training camp next season as they prepare for another year together.

Often, those two players were responsible for creating separation and giving the offense reliable targets. Once they were lost for the season, Dart turned more frequently to tight end players Daniel Bellinger and Theo Johnson. When those options were unavailable, he was forced to look elsewhere on the field. In many situations, Dart also relied on his own mobility to extend plays because protection broke down. Skattebo and Nabers were responsible for many of the most explosive moments on offense, and with their likely return, the Giants may be in a better position than many fans and analysts expect.

The Giants maintained a respectable run game, though the biggest limitation came from how plays were schemed. Often, Dart relied on misdirection or straight handoffs. Those approaches did not consistently work with Devin Singletary, who frequently attempted to run directly up the middle and was stopped repeatedly throughout the season. Having Skattebo back in the lineup should create more opportunities and improve the effectiveness of the running game, as he has shown the ability to break through defensive fronts.

On the defensive side, the Giants have continued to develop a more balanced defensive line. The unit struggled early in the season, but made progress as the year progressed. Edge rusher Brian Burns and offensive linebacker Abdul Carter played key roles in limiting opposing drives. Dexter Lawrence also made a significant impact throughout the season. If the rest of the defensive line continues to build on that foundation, the Giants will be better positioned to regain possession and generate more scoring opportunities next year.

Big Blue also showed improvement in reducing penalties toward the end of the season. Mistakes became less frequent, and discipline improved. Players who continued to make errors were either removed from the field or corrected their approach. That development reflects team maturity, an area the Giants have been seeking since assembling much of this roster.

The Giants are no longer the young team they once were; the foundation has been built. Big Blue has the potential to become a serious challenge for opponents next season. The roster has the necessary pieces in place. Success will depend on execution and finding the right leadership to fill the remaining vacancies. The 2026 season is shaping up to be one worth watching for fans, the franchise, and anyone following the Giants’ next step forward.