As reported by Ian Rapoport, the Giants have agreed to a one-year deal with Faalele, who is coming off a rocky year in Baltimore. Throughout the 2025 NFL season, the 6’8″ guard made a couple of plays that left fans scratching their heads.

His struggles in Baltimore raise concerns in New York, where Jaxson Dart is set to be the starting quarterback. After an injury-filled rookie year, the Giants must keep Dart safe. In only one NFL season, Dart’s has been in more concussion protocols than the G-Men would like for any player, especially at the most important position.

The Giants acknowledge just how crucial Dart is to their aspirations. That was made clear as new offensive coordinator Matt Nagy opened up on what he sees in the second-year quarterback. Nagy knows Dart has something special, and as a result, New York has something valuable in its hands. Still, Dart is of no use in the blue medical tent. There’s no other way around it, the Giants must keep him out of danger.

Faalele struggled on the Ravens in 2025

According to a report from Marshall Green, Jackson and the Ravens didn’t trust Faalele last season, and many inside the locker room blame him for the offensive inconsistencies in 2025. Whether that’s fair or not is a different story. The facts remain.

Jackson was pressured on 23.6% of his dropbacks—the ninth-most in the NFL last season. According to Pro Football Reference, Jackson was blitzed 125 times, hurried 28 times, hit 23 times, and sacked 36 times. Sometimes, Jackson gets himself into trouble due to his tendency to hold on to the football, and that may inflate his numbers.

However, his numbers could also be rougher—and as a result look worse on his offensive linemen—if it wasn’t for his elusiveness and ability to scramble out of trouble.

Harbaugh still believes in Faalele

Regardless of his stats in Baltimore, it sure looks like Harbaugh believes in Faalele. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be entering his first season with a new organization with him.

A lot is on the line for Harbaugh as he settles in at MetLife Stadium. If he wasn’t confident that Faalele can turn it around and find his footing, he wouldn’t be behind the offensive lineman’s one-year contract in East Rutherford. Still, the University of Minnesota alum must change the tune. He has all the tools to be successful in the league—it’s all about putting it together.

Harbaugh definitely thinks so. Far from giving up on him, the Super Bowl-winning head coach has brought Faalele with him to New York. After all, they will be just minutes away from the concrete jungle where dreams are made.

“I’m not surprised by it. We’ll try to work through it,” the head coach said about this situation via Ian Rapoport on X. He also revealed his intentions of Lawrence coming back to East Rutherford: “I think the prospects are high.”

The Bills and Bears could offer what the Giants are asking for the nose tackle. However, this story is just beginning, and the final outcome remains uncertain.

Alternatives to Lawrence

If John Harbaugh and the Giants decide to move on from Dexter Lawrence, the team faces a significant void at the center of their defensive line. With Lawrence skipping the 2026 offseason program, the primary internal alternatives are Sam Roberts, a recent addition from Atlanta, and Marlon Tuipulotu.

While both provide depth, neither possesses Lawrence’s elite pass-rushing production or league-leading pressure rate from the nose tackle position, likely forcing the Giants head coach to look toward the draft or further free-agent acquisitions to stabilize the interior.

More moves on the Giants?

As rosters continue to take shape for the upcoming season, in the Big Apple they’re not taking anything for granted. In fact, head coach John Harbaugh has left the door wide open for more trades.

Both Lawrence and Thibodeaux could be on the move in the short term. That said, the upcoming draft could be an excellent opportunity to find their replacements if their departures are finalized.

“Everybody is tradable. Everybody,” Harbaugh said, via SNY, when asked about trade candidates in New York. In addition to Lawrence requesting a trade, Thibodeaux is a name to watch, as his name has gained traction in the NFL’s rumor mill. Although the Giants and Harbaugh remain optimistic about Lawrence despite the public trade request, the Super Bowl-winning head coach didn’t sugarcoat the reality of the NFL.

For the right price, anyone can change teams, and as the NY Giants have reportedly established their asking price for Lawrence, signs could indicate the G-Men are seriously considering fulfilling his wish. Harbaugh didn’t mention Lawrence by name in his comment, but the star nose tackle is still with the Giants, and thus he enters the list when Harbaugh says “everybody.”

NY Giants’ defense vies to comeback

The 4-13 finish to the 2025 NFL season was far from encouraging for the Giants, but they did show many signs of improvement that can have fans hopeful for the future in The Big Apple. After being a high note in 2024, the defense struggled in 2025.

Aside from Brian Burns and Abdul Carter, not many players put up great numbers in New York—or rather, New Jersey. Still, Harbaugh is confident the team can bounce back from adversity. The Giants have enough talent on defense to do so, it’s all about finding their footing. However, if New York parts ways with both Lawrence and Thibodeaux, it’d make the climb much steeper.

If Giants trade both Lawrence and Thibodeaux, who are left?

Most likely, the Giants trade only one of Lawrence and Thibodeaux—if they even send one of them away. Still, in the event the Giants go ballistic and do the unthinkable, these players would be next up to fill the glaring voids. Burns and Carter would remain the top pass-rushing threats off the edge.

With Thibodeaux gone, Chauncey Golston and Caleb Murphy could be in line for expanded roles, too. Sam Roberts and Marlon Tuipulotu would compete for the vacant nose tackle job. To say they have big shoes to fill would be an understatement.

Lawrence is the best nose tackle in the league

As reported by Warren Sharp, Lawrence leads the NFL in pressures when aligned at NT since 2022. Lawrence has pressured quarterbacks 108 times since the 2022 campaign. The next closest pursuer is Vita Vea with 32. Indeed, Lawrence had a down year in 2025, but there’s nobody on his level when it comes to playing the nose tackle position as he does.

New York is well aware of that, and it isn’t afraid of publicly admitting that. Still, the NFL is a business, and you’d be surprised how many times pride outweighs analytics in critical decisions.

“I think what they have done is pretty good to this point,” one exec told The Athletic. “To get some familiarity, Likely is a good get for them. The key is, the two rookies from last year, (Cam) Skattebo and (Jaxson) Dart. They did the right thing by letting the receiver (Wan’Dale Robinson) go, but they do not have a lot there beyond (Malik) Nabers. I could see them drafting one of the receivers early on.”

Another exec said: “We liked Isaiah Likely. They know him well. He is a good No. 2 (tight end). I’ve never been a huge fan of Edmunds. We were looking at linebackers, and that was not someone we spent a lot of time on. Nothing they did really scares you.”

The most notable arrivals for the Giants so far

The Giants have executed an intriguing offseason strategy focused on veteran leadership and physical dominance. The crown jewel of this free agency class is linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who arrives as the new defensive captain to provide elite range and coverage.

On the offensive side, the team secured Darnell Mooney to stretch the field and tight end Isaiah Likely to serve as a reliable red-zone threat. To solidify the trenches and secondary, New York also made high-impact moves by bringing in shutdown corner Greg Newsome II and re-signing veteran offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, signaling a clear shift toward a win-now mentality.

Other additions:

• Calvin Austin, WR
• Patrick Ricard, FB
• Sam Roberts, NT
• Cam Jones, LB
• Jason Pinnock, S
• Ar’Darius Washington, S
• Elijah Campbell, S

Significant departures for Harbaugh

The most significant departure this offseason is undoubtedly Wan’Dale Robinson, who signed a lucrative deal with Titans. His exit marks a major shift in the offense, alongside the losses of tight end Daniel Bellinger and veteran quarterback Russell Wilson.

On the defensive front, the unit’s depth took a hit as the Bucs reunite with Rakeem Nunez-Roches on a one-year deal, allowing the physical interior defender to return to the franchise where he originally secured his Super Bowl ring.

Opportunities to select a WR

Some executives pointed out what may be the weakest area of the Giants’ offense: the wide receiver room. Therefore, to avoid relying primarily on Malik Nabers, the upcoming Draft could be a great opportunity to select young talent.

These are the picks that John Harbaugh and his staff will need to use wisely to continue strengthening their roster.

• Round 1 – No. 5
• Round 2 – No. 37
• Round 4 – No. 105
• Round 5 – No. 145
• Round 6 – No. 186
• Round 6 – No. 192 (via Miami)
• Round 6 – No. 193 (via Dallas)

The veteran defensive lineman parted ways with the Giants after three seasons. He will now begin his second stint with the Bucs, signing a one-year deal, as reported by Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

A significant loss for a defense aiming to be a cornerstone in New York. Due to John Harbaugh’s philosophy of prioritizing a physical defense that stops the run dead in its tracks, replacing him could be a difficult task.

How much do the Giants lose without Nacho?

The departure of the 305-pound veteran leaves a notable void in New York’s interior rotation. After a durable 2024 campaign where he racked up 52 tackles across 15 starts, he remained a productive pass-rushing presence last year with 3.0 sacks in limited action before injuries cut his season short.

The alternatives Harbaugh is considering

John Harbaugh must reshuffle a defensive front centered around the elite Dexter Lawrence. The Giants are banking on newcomer Roy Robertson-Harris and recent signing Sam Roberts to maintain the unit’s physicality, while leaning on the development of young prospects like Elijah Chatman and Darius Alexander to solidify the rotation.

In search of his second Super Bowl ring

In Super Bowl LV, Rakeem Nunez-Roches delivered a disciplined performance as the Buccaneers’ starting Nose Tackle, recording two total tackles and one QB hit. While his box score was modest, his ability to anchor the interior and absorb double teams was instrumental in holding the high-powered Chiefs’ offense to zero touchdowns during Tampa Bay’s 31–9 victory over Kansas City.

“I took a lot of pride in what we did,” he said on Pardon My Take. “I took a lot of pride in this season. I thought, honestly, as a coaching staff, it might have been our best job this year coaching this team. I thought we did a great job. But it wasn’t good enough in terms of getting us where we needed to get for whatever reason.”

Harbaugh’s last campaign with the Ravens ended with a record of 8 wins and 9 losses, far from the initial aspirations. Now, a new challenge awaits him with the Giants, where he will seek to get back to the Super Bowl.

No regrets over the firing

Harbaugh’s tenure with the Baltimore Ravens was highly successful. Despite this, his final season sealed what seemed like an endpoint for the relationship, leading to the head coach’s dismissal at the end of the campaign.

“If the job’s not getting done, it’s not good enough, they’ll make a change,” Harbaugh said. “I really wasn’t worried about it ever, keeping the job. I felt like at some point in time if they felt like I wasn’t the best guy for the job to do the job then they’re going to put me out of a job, and that’s what they should do if they feel that way.”

Harbaugh’s numbers with the Ravens

John Harbaugh led the Baltimore Ravens for 18 seasons until his departure in early 2026. He compiled a regular-season record of 180 wins, 113 losses, and 0 ties.

His postseason success was equally notable, totaling 13 wins and 11 losses in the playoffs. The pinnacle of his tenure came in 2012, when he guided the franchise to a victory in Super Bowl XLVII, defeating the San Francisco 49ers with a 34–31 score. He also finished his time in Baltimore as the winningest coach in the team’s history.

Can he lead the Giants to the Super Bowl?

The New York Giants are officially entering a new era with John Harbaugh as head coach and Jaxson Dart leading the offense. Harbaugh has taken the reins in East Rutherford with the clear goal of returning the G-Men to the Super Bowl for the first time since February 2012.

Throughout its storied history, the franchise has secured four Super Bowl titles (1986, 1990, 2007, and 2011). Now, the focus is on building around Dart’s dual-threat talent to bring a fifth Lombardi Trophy to New York and end the team’s long championship drought.

“I think we have a lot of bang for our buck,” the head coach said on Pardon My Take. “And these are all guys that are motivated, that wanted to be here for the right reasons, that are gonna fit our style of play… We’re not done yet.”

Even in the midst of the offseason and with an intriguing draft ahead, it seems they’re not content to stay put in Harbaugh’s plans. Are these Giants ready to be contenders in the NFC East?

Two players targeted by Giants

As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the New York Giants are reportedly locked in on elite talent to revitalize their roster. Recent rumors suggest a strong interest in Notre Dame’s dynamic playmaker Jeremiyah Love, but a primary NY Giants’ target, Sonny Styles, remains the frontrunner for the number five overall pick.

Following his standout performance at the Ohio State pro day, Styles is seen as the versatile defensive anchor head coach John Harbaugh needs to transform the Giants‘ secondary and linebacker corps into a top-tier unit.

Giants’ Draft picks

• Round 1: 5
• Round 2: 37
• Round 4: 105
• Round 5: 145
• Round 6: 186
• Round 6: 192 (via Miami)
• Round 6: 193 (via Dallas)

When and where is the next Draft?

The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place from Thursday, April 23, to Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This marks the first time the Steel City has hosted the event since 1948.

The festivities will be split across the Allegheny River, with the Draft Theater and Main Stage located on the North Shore outside Acrisure Stadium, while the NFL Draft Experience fan festival will be centered at Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh.

The 2026 NFL season is still months away, yet football season is already on everyone’s mind. Early odds are a fan favorite, as they aim to predict what will happen next before the NFL Draft has even taken place.

In these early odds, awards are always a key bet. Upon his arrival to the NY Giants, John Harbaugh officially became the favorite (+500) to win the 2026 Coach of the Year, indicating that his early work in the Big Apple is not going unnoticed.

Three new head coaches are the favorites for 2026 COTY

John Harbaugh’s move to New York shocked the league. The Giants have a solid foundation with players like Malik Nabers and Jaxson Dart, and it seemed the only missing piece was an elite coach to make them competitive.

However, he is not the only new coach expected to bring a massive change to his team. Two other clubs with new head coaches currently hold the next two best odds for the COTY award.

Jesse Minter, who took over as head coach of the Ravens after Harbaugh’s exit, is the second favorite (+750) to win the award. He is followed by Robert Saleh (+950) of the Titans, who returns to a head-coaching position after spending 2025 as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator.

John Harbaugh could win his second COTY

In 2019, John Harbaugh was named Coach of the Year after an outstanding season with the Ravens. While Baltimore did not secure the title that year, their regular season was historic.

That year, Harbaugh led the Ravens to the best regular-season record in the league with 14 wins and only two defeats. Unfortunately, they were stunned in the Divisional Round by the Titans, ending their Super Bowl dream earlier than expected.

A few days ago, members of the Giants held a meeting with Raja Nelson. The receiver was a key player for North Dakota State Bison last season and could potentially become a new weapon for Jaxson Dart.

Evidently, the wide receiver corps is a key area of focus for New York moving forward. Ted Hurst of Georgia State Panthers is also one of the names the Giants are keeping an eye on.

Nick Dawkins had a successful season with the Penn State Nittany Lions and is another prospect who has held discussions with the Giants. The offensive lineman has also been interviewed by teams including the Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Ravens.

How did the Giants’ receiving corps perform in 2025?

The fact that the Giants have met with several college football receivers indicates that they might be looking to rebuild a unit that struggled to support Jaxson Dart during his rookie campaign. Although the team recently signed Darnell Mooney to a one-year deal, his arrival is seen as a necessary gamble following a 2025 where he recorded only 32 receptions for 443 yards in Atlanta.

The connection between Dart and his receivers was a major point of failure, largely because the Giants’ wideouts combined for a league-high drop rate and failed to create consistent separation. Statistically, the struggle was evident as Dart finished with a 63.7% completion rate, often because his targets were unable to win their matchups on intermediate routes.

Protecting Dart, another goal

The Giants are making it a clear priority to protect Jaxson Dart after a rookie season where the offensive line was a significant point of concern. Despite a perceived mid-season turnaround, Dart was sacked 35 times across just 14 games, resulting in a staggering 152 yards lost and a sack rate of 9.4%.

Consequently, many analysts expect the Giants to use their high draft capital on an elite anchor like Spencer Fano or Francis Mauigoa to ensure the QB has the time and security needed to reach his full potential.

The NY Giants’ 2026 NFL Draft picks

• Round 1 – No. 5
• Round 2 – No. 37
• Round 4 – No. 105
• Round 5 – No. 145
• Round 6 – No. 186
• Round 6 – No. 192 (from Miami)
• Round 6 – No. 193 (from Dallas)

Connor Hughes, NFL journalist, revealed through his X account that after the arrival of the former Jaguars player to the Big Apple, further searches to fill the cornerback position on the roster are not ruled out.

It is worth noting that Greg Newsome joins the Giants after agreeing to a one-year contract worth $8 million, with $3 million guaranteed. Defensive experience in New York.

Newsome’s 2025 in the NFL

In 2025, Greg Newsome revitalized his career after a midseason trade to the Jacksonville Jaguars, appearing in 12 games (11 starts) for the team. He recorded 29 tackles, 6 passes defensed, and one interception in Jacksonville, finishing the overall season with a career-high 52 total tackles and 9 pass breakups across his time with both the Browns and Jaguars.

Newsome is expected to immediately stabilize a secondary that lost Cor’Dale Flott in free agency. His versatility to play both outside and in the slot, combined with his high-end athleticism (4.38-second 40-yard dash), gives the Giants a proven starter to pair alongside Deonte Banks. If he can maintain the form he showed late in 2025, Newsome will be a critical piece for a New York defense looking to build on its recent playoff momentum.

CBs to watch in the upcoming Draft

With the 5th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Giants are widely expected to target an elite cornerback to fit new head coach John Harbaugh’s physical, press-heavy defensive scheme.

The consensus top target is LSU’s Mansoor Delane, a polished 6’0″ prospect praised for his fluid transitions and ability to smother receivers at all three levels. If the Giants look elsewhere, Jermod McCoy (Tennessee) is a high-upside alternative known for his length and ball skills, though he is currently recovering from an ACL injury.

Other names linked to Big Blue in the first round include Avieon Terrell (Clemson) and Colton Hood (Tennessee), both of whom offer the aggressive, “sticky” coverage style that would complement the recently signed Greg Newsome II in a revamped secondary.

That’s why the front office’s plan is to surround Jaxson Dart as smartly as possible, and in the quest to create salary cap space for new reinforcements, unfortunately, some players will no longer don the red and blue next season.

The latest news confirms that the Giants are releasing linebacker and team captain Bobby Okereke, thereby parting ways with a key piece of the team’s defense.

According to journalist Paul Schwartz, this move frees up $9 million in cap relief. Okereke was set to carry a $14.4 million cap hit in 2026, the final year of the four-year, $40 million deal he signed back in 2023.

More moves are expected in New York

Bringing new faces to the team—many of them high-profile—requires sacrifices elsewhere. Okereke’s departure might not be the only one for the Giants in the near future as they continue to expand salary cap space.

Perhaps one of the most notable names that could face the same fate as the linebacker is Devin Singletary. Cutting the veteran running back would free up $5.3 million in cap space.