While the Giants have made their identity to be one of a very physical team, there’s still things to improve. For instance, the Giants are fifth in rush attempts (29.8) in the NFL. The team is also second on time of possession per game, averaging 32:41 minutes.

However, they rank 25th in yards per carry with just 3.7. That’s something Harbaugh has taken notice of. “I mean, we’re just not good enough yet. Defenses are playing us pretty well. As we get better, we’ll probably have more longer runs,” Harbaugh told reporters. “Also, if we make them pay a little more with play action, I think that’ll loosen them up a little bit, probably,” Harbaugh added.

This is a direct indictment on Matt Nagy

While offensive coordinator Matt Nagy follows the identity that Harbaugh is trying to install, he is also the playcaller. Harbaugh pretty much just told him that the Giants need more explosive plays to actually function at full potential.

The Giants are ranked 21st in points scored. On the explosive plays alone, it’s clear they aren’t able to produce any. The Giants are 29th in the NFL in yards per play, with just 4.7 yards on average.

The running game is in trouble

Cam Skattebo is a very talented back. However, Skattebo just had an injury update, so his status for the near future is not clear. Still, whether it’s Skattebo or Najee Harris, the running game is not efficient.

Key takeaways

• The New York Giants rank 25th in the NFL with 3.7 yards per carry.
• Head coach John Harbaugh called for more explosive plays to open the run game.
• The Giants rank 29th in yards per play, averaging just 4.7 yards overall.

Matt Nagy spoke on McCarthy and said, “He’s doing really well. That’s as best as I can put it. You look back seven days ago when we were up here having the same conversation, he’s much further along, which is, again, a credit to our position coaches… Proud of him, but this is just the beginning. But I’d say A+ right now.”

McCarthy comes from a very complex playbook in Minnesota under Kevin O’Connell. Nagy utilizes a traditional West Coast system derived from Andy Reid. It’s not easy, but O’Connell belongs to the expansive Sean McVay coaching tree. Both are complex, but McCarthy has experience in learning deep playbooks.

McCarthy reputation is split

JJ McCarthy is widely regarded as a smart, well-prepared quarterback with strong mental processing. However, scouts and analysts have split opinions on how well his football intelligence translates to high-level NFL execution. On the field, his decision-making might be baffling.

While McCarthy thrived under Jim Harbaugh in Michigan, the NFL level has made McCarthy a mistake-prone quarterback. However, it’s not because of playbook knowledge, it’s a progression kind of problem.

McCarthy needs a redemption

As of now, McCarthy is backing up Jameis Winston, who delivered a strong message to the Giants. Hence, McCarthy is waiting for his chance, but if it arrives, it’s a time for redemption.

After being a top 10 pick, he lost his job as the Vikings QB1, dealt with plenty of injuries, and the Vikings gave up on him, hence the trade. Now, he needs to prove he belongs in the NFL.

Key takeaways

• Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy gave JJ McCarthy an “A+ right now” for learning the playbook.
• JJ McCarthy operated under a complex offense in Minnesota under Kevin O’Connell.
• The former top-10 pick lost his Vikings QB1 job prior to the Giants trade.

“No, [Beckham Jr. isn’t a backup plan in case somebody gets hurt]. He does a lot of good things well. We’re trying to slowly package him in some things offensively. It’s not that he is just a backup, we have him on the gameplan, we really just didn’t get to it,” Nagy admitted, via the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy.

Every fan in New York knew Odell’s return would be by fits and starts and progressive rather than an explosive, not-miss-a-single-beat comeback. Still, through two weeks of the NFL season, many expected to get a bigger taste of what Beckham Jr. can do on the Giants’ offense.

So far, it’s been as if he wasn’t there, and OBJ has been spotted way more often on the sidelines than on the gridiron. Odell’s on-the-field appearances are so rare through the first two weeks that fans across the NFL asked whether Beckham Jr. was playing for the Giants against the Los Angeles Rams.

Nagy voices a reminder for Beckham Jr.

Anything can happen, and the status quo might change at any given moment, though. That was exactly what Nagy reminded Beckham Jr. of, even if the team’s offensive coordinator believes Odell is already aware of it.

“You’ve got to be ready, [you’re] one injury away from being in all the time and [Odell Beckham Jr.] knows that, he understands,” Nagy concluded his answer on the lack of opportunities Beckham has had so far in 2026.

As New York has recently been reminded, and Beckham Jr. reacted to Jaxson Dart’s injury, such setbacks are a part of football, and no team in the NFL is exempt from them. Still, Giants fans sure hope Beckham Jr. can earn a bigger role and that it isn’t limited to an in-case-of-emergency situation, only arising when a player ahead of OBJ on the Giants’ WR depth chart goes down.

How many snaps has Odell Beckham Jr. played so far?

Through the first two weeks of the 2026 campaign, Beckham Jr. has only played a total of 14 snaps, per Footballguys.com. Odell played 11 snaps in Week 1’s home opener, a Sunday night showdown against the Dallas Cowboys, making up just 16% of the team’s offensive snaps.

In Week 2, again on national television but on a Monday night, the 28-6 loss to the Rams, Beckham Jr.’s snap count dropped to three, making up 5% of the team’s offensive snaps. Even with the unfortunate change at quarterback and the G-Men trailing all night long, Odell barely saw the field.

With such a low snap count, it’s not shocking to learn Beckham has no stats whatsoever on the year, not even a single target. So far, Nagy and the Giants’ coaching staff basically have the 33-year-old wideout doing cardio out on the field. For the time being, Beckham Jr. might be understanding, but there’s always a limit, and if this trend prevails, it may not be long before New York finds Odell’s.

Key takeaways

• Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy revealed the team is slowly packaging the veteran into their offense.
• Odell Beckham Jr. played only 11 snaps (16%) in the Week 1 home opener.
• He saw his playing time drop to just three snaps (5%) in Week 2.

Not only will Nagy call Dart and the Giants’ offensive plays in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against the Cowboys, he will hold the play sheet throughout the year. It’s not too surprising considering Harbaugh isn’t typically a play-caller.

However, Nagy did have a surprise of his own. Contrary to what he’s done for most of his career, the Giants‘ offensive coordinator won’t be on the sidelines at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night. Instead, he will be watching—and calling the shots—from upstairs.

“I am [calling the plays], I’m going to be up in the box,” Nagy admitted during a press conference on Thursday. “I’m excited about it. I’ve always been down on the field. I wanted to experiment with that in the preseason and I was able to do that. I really liked it, you can see a lot more from up there. It takes away a little bit of the on-the-field element of being able to communicate all the time. But there’s a calm in the box.”

Nagy’s play-calling history

Indeed, Harbaugh hasn’t been one to call the plays often throughout his NFL career. That was a big tell on Nagy’s responsibility with New York, but fans still needed to hear confirmation. During his stint as offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, Nagy designed many of the plays that helped Kansas City win back-to-back Super Bowls, but he didn’t call them during games. Head coach Andy Reid did that.

During his lone tenure as an NFL head coach, Nagy started off as the Chicago Bears’ play-caller, but he gave up those duties midway through his third year on the job (2020 season). During the 2021 NFL season, he was on and off as the Bears’ play-caller.

Thus, Nagy’s last game as pure play-caller was on Nov. 8, 2020, when Nagy’s Bears were shut out for three quarters by Mike Vrabel’s Tennessee Titans and ended up losing 24-17. Nagy has called plays during games since, but on an inconsistent basis. For his grand opening, return act, Nagy will employ a different method, abandoning his post on the sideline and setting up shop in the sky in a booth.

Different experience in the booth

Being in a booth has its fair share of pros and cons. Nagy understands that, and he voiced a confident statement ahead of his first true game-day experience away from the noise and emotion-fueled atmosphere at ground level.

“For me, first time in this role as a play-caller OC, being up in that box I just feel like I can see things a lot better and have the ultimate trust in the staff and being able to see things they can communicate to me. We got the telephone, too, so I can always jump on the phone with Jaxson [Dart] if I need to,” Nagy stated.

If need be, Nagy can always bring Dart to the sideline and have a heart-to-heart talk over the phone. It’s not the same, and it never is, but it can also take away some of the drama, as the Giants will have their every move watched and scrutinized on Sunday night. A discussion between Dart and Nagy would fill newspapers from sea to shining sea, so it may be best to save that for a phone call and later inside the locker room.

Schmitz was a second round pick in 2023, and has not delivered as expected. However, he had an average season in 2025, but now that Harbaugh and Nagy are in the building, he is having to adjust once again.

Per Dan Duggan of The Athletic, “The centers pulled a lot during drills early in practice. It makes sense that’s a featured part of the offense considering Harbaugh had the athletic Tyler Linderbaum at center for the past four seasons. It will be interesting to see whether Schmitz can thrive in this scheme,” noted Duggan.

Harbaugh is looking for one thing only

The Giants want to run the ball. Plain and simple, Harbaugh likes to put a modern twist but in an old school football scheme. He likes running the football, and for that, his offensive line must be agile, mobile but very strong.

In fact, Nagy was not the only hire, as Harbaugh hired Mike Bloomgren to be the offensive line coach. The Giants also drafted Francis Mauigoa to add explosiveness to their offensive line. Things are changing and players must adapt or they will be let go.

The running backs also have to deliver

Cam Skattebo was having a great rookie season, but a season-ending ankle injury is now putting doubts over his sophomore season. He must play great. Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary must do their part too because the Giants want to stay ahead of the chains.

Hence, establishing the run is imperative. That also allows quarterback Jaxson Dart to play more freely and avoid running himself. He can take more care of himself while having plenty of support.

“The thing I would say with that conversation that I’ve had with Jaxson is just what you said. I think it’s a great point. He’s Jaxson Dart. He’s not Patrick Mahomes,” Nagy stated when asked about imparting some lessons about working with Mahomes.

“I was able to be fortunate enough to be around Patrick for many years, and I saw Patrick as a rookie. . .I got to see four more years of him as a vet. We’ve talked a little bit about the process and what he’s been through, but we’ve also made it clear, you have to be Jaxson Dart. He’s going to do that.“

Surround him in the best way will be the key for the QB: “It’s our job to surround him and insulate him, give him direction, but he has to be able to tell us, how he likes it, why he likes it, and so forth. We’re going to be really intentional on how we do that.”

Nagy and Mahomes in Chiefs Kingdom

During the seasons with Patrick Mahomes and Matt Nagy, the Kansas City Chiefs have achieved incredible success, securing three Super Bowl championships (LIV, LVII, and LVIII). Additionally, this duo has led the team to multiple AFC Championship titles and consistent AFC West division victories, establishing a dominant era in professional football.

Boosting Dart

Following a standout rookie year, Jaxson Dart is poised for a leap in development under the mentorship of new Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. During the 2025 season, Dart proved he belonged in the NFL by throwing for 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions across 14 games, finishing with a solid 91.7 passer rating.

Beyond his arm, his mobility was a game-changer, as he added 487 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns. Nagy knows that Dart has something special, and his mission will be to harness this versatility while improving Dart’s durability, ensuring the young quarterback builds on the 63.7% completion rate that made him the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year.

“I was able to watch a decent amount of Jaxson last year, when I was in Kansas City,” Nagy said to the press. “We tried to take as little time as possible watching the quarterback position, but every year I will watch just to see the top guys that are there, and I remember coming away impressed with Jaxson and his accuracy.”

The first moves began to be seen in the new era of John Harbaugh. That’s where the new OC truly began to glimpse Dart’s potential.

“I didn’t know how tough he was and how good a runner he was,” Nagy also added. “At the Combine, us not really being in the quarterback market, watching him, just observing how he handled himself in that group of quarterbacks at the Combine, you could see this moxie he had, this it factor. When I got here to New York and started meeting with him, you could tell right away that was true. This kid is different in that way.”

A key piece could leave the Giants

An offer too good to resist from the Bengals might be one way for the Giants to move Dexter Lawrence, who officially requested a trade this week after contract negotiations stalled. Despite being the centerpiece of New York’s defense, the All-Pro nose tackle is seeking a deal that reflects the skyrocketing market for interior linemen, as his current $22.5 million average has fallen behind his peers.

While head coach John Harbaugh has expressed a desire to keep him, the combination of Lawrence’s trade request and Cincinnati’s potential interest—possibly involving high draft picks—has put the Giants in a difficult position as they weigh his massive $35 million-a-year salary expectations against his long-term value to the franchise.

Nagy gets players back

Giants expect Cam Skattebo to be back before Nabers, as the young running back is already jogging and expected to participate in the offseason program following his ankle injury. While both are key pieces for the offense led by Jaxson Dart and the scheme of offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, Malik Nabers’ recovery from a torn ACL has him on a slightly longer timeline, with a projected return closer to training camp or the start of the regular season.

That was what new offensive coordinator Matt Nagy hinted in a message that could be interpreted in different ways. Perhaps, the Giants are trying to bamboozle the rest of the NFL, and hide their true intentions. Or, maybe, they are actually letting the league know their next move.

According to New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy, Nagy opened up on what he sees in Love, admitting “what a great talent,” he is. Still the two-time Super Bowl champion assistant coach, commented the Giants are excited about the players they have right now at the running back position.

The Giants’ running back room currently includes Cam Skattebo, whom the NY Giants expect to be back from injury soon, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary.

One way to interpret Nagy’s comment on Love

On the one hand, Nagy’s message might be a way of keeping other organizations on their toes. Never let your opponents know your next move might be the mantra in New York, as the Giants face several key decisions. In typical New York City fashion, stress is off the charts inside the G-Men’s facilities.

Not only must the Giants call critical shots before the NFL Draft, but during it as well. Just like Harbaugh left the door open on a potential Dexter Lawrence trade, placing a “tradable” tag on every single player on the roster, Nagy could now leave every option on the table when it comes to Jeremiyah Love.

Another way to interpret Nagy’s answer

On the other hand, fans may see Nagy’s admission as the Giants waving goodbye to the prospect of drafting Love. This might be for various reasons. Maybe the G-Men believe Love won’t be available by the time they make their first-round selection (5th overall).

Or perhaps New York believes it could draft him but would rather spend that pick in another area of need. Indeed, Love is one of the best talents in his class, and although star halfbacks don’t grow on trees, efficient ball carriers are much easier to find (through the NFL Draft or free agency) than other positions.

NY Giants could repeat history

At the end of the day, running backs are seen as expendable around the league. For the Giants, rolling with a three-headed monster with Skattebo, Tracy, and Singletary may be a wiser decision than going all in on Love. Many believe Love might be the perfect heir to Saquon Barkley in the Big Apple.

However, Barkley’s example should also serve as a lesson for New York. The Giants drafted a running back in the top 5 of the draft but failed to surround him with talent. How did that go for New York? Saquon left in free agency to join a divisional rival.

Love may become a superstar in New York, but if he doesn’t see a winning future in town, he might opt to head elsewhere as soon as he becomes an unrestricted free agent. It’s hardly an easy decision for Joe Schoen and company to make, but it’s one that the Giants must nail. Otherwise, they might dig themselves their own grave—again.

“Yeah, I’m fired up to have him back,” Reid said. “When you lose a Matt Nagy, to bring a guy in who can just step in and go — that’s not an easy thing to do.

“So, I’m fired up to have him back. He brings great energy. Loves doing what he’s doing. All he wants to do is win football games and have a great offense. Ultimate team guy.”

Reid also valued the experience Bieniemy may have gained over the past few years: “Yeah, listen, anytime you leave and go different places, you’re going to kind of sort through some things and then learn some things.”

The successful Reid-Bieniemy duo

Working together in Kansas City, Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy formed one of the most prolific offensive duos in NFL history, leading the Chiefs to two Super Bowl championships. During Bieniemy’s five-season tenure as Offensive Coordinator from 2018 to 2022, the team reached five consecutive AFC Championship games and secured three Super Bowl appearances.

Their partnership was defined by an elite scoring offense that helped solidify the Chiefs’ current dynasty.

• Super Bowl LIV: San Francisco 49ers 20 – 31 Kansas City Chiefs
• Super Bowl LVII: Kansas City Chiefs 38 – 35 Philadelphia Eagles

Nagy left his mark on Chiefs Kingdom

Andy Reid and Matt Nagy have shared significant success across two different stints in Kansas City, highlighted by the Super Bowl LVIII title during the 2023 season. While Nagy’s first tenure as OC in 2017 ended in a playoff berth before he took the Bears’ head coaching job, his return to the role in 2023 solidified his impact on the Chiefs‘ dynasty.

The confidence placed in the former Chiefs offensive coordinator is significant—so much so that Harbaugh himself, in recent statements to the press, referred to Nagy as one of the best at his position in the league.

“I expect Matt to be the best ever. I’m hoping he’ll be the best offensive coordinator to ever coach the game; that’s what we’re shooting for,” the former Ravens coach said to the press.

Getting back to the Super Bowl

Harbaugh’s arrival in the Big Apple is no coincidence: the experienced coach already knows what it takes to lift a Vince Lombardi Trophy and aims to do it again with the Giants. In fact, the head coach himself expressed excitement just at the thought of celebrating.

“I’ve heard people say the parade in New York is the most incredible thing ever,” Harbaugh told Ian O’Connor of The Athletic. “Coach (Tom) Coughlin told me that, and I have a vision, like, ‘Wow, I want it. I want to see that. I want to be in that parade.’

“But with that being said, what I’m thinking about is what the team looks like that earns the right to be in that parade someday. What do we have to build to get there? That’s really what I’m consumed with.”

But Nagy might not be the only one to leave Kansas City for New York in 2026. Wide receiver Tyquan Thornton is among the Chiefs free agents this offseason, and Nagy’s departure could persuade him to join the offensive coordinator on the Giants.

“I’m just going to say: ‘AAF.’ Matt Nagy knows what I’m talking about. AAF,” Thornton said during a recent appearance on the Talkin’ Ball with Pat Leonard podcast, via Giants Wire. “He’s very aggressive. I love his mindset and what he brings to the table. I’m excited to see what he brings to New York. I love him.”

But Thornton did more than just praising Nagy and wishing him luck in his next adventure. The wideout also mentioned how much he loved playing at MetLife Stadium last season, hinting at a potential interest in playing for the Giants.

“It was a great experience to play in New York,” Thornton said. “I remember Coach Reid telling us there’s nothing better to do but in New York on a [Sunday] night. And I remember just going out there and trying to be electric and go out there and light the stadium up. What a great stadium in New York. Love the atmosphere.”

Thornton’s breakout 2025 season with Chiefs

Selected 50th overall in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, Thornton spent two and a half years in Foxborough before landing on the Chiefs’ practice squad.

2025 saw him get a bigger role on Reid‘s plans, with a standout performance in Week 3. Curiously, that game was against none other than the Giants and in New York. Under the bright lights of MetLife Stadium on Sunday Night Football, Thornton shined by catching five passes from Mahomes for 71 yards, including a touchdown.

Those numbers contributed to the Chiefs’ 22-9 win over the Giants, which sealed Russell Wilson’s time as New York’s starting quarterback to make room for then rookie QB Jaxson Dart.

Thornton might be a WR to watch in free agency

Thornton continued thriving in Nagy’s system, becoming a key target for Mahomes with many Chiefs pass catchers getting injured. Thornton went on to record 19 catches for 438 yards and three touchdowns before a concussion forced him to finish 2025 on season-ending injured reserve.

Thornton’s stock definitely went up last season, and with unrestricted free agency waiting for him in March, chances are that Reid and the Chiefs will face competition to re-sign the fifth-year wide receiver.

Nagy could give the Giants an advantage in a potential race for the wideout, with Thornton claiming that the former Chiefs offensive coordinator “let my light shine and make plays.”

And while Thornton already made it clear that he likes the Giants, he could make sense for the team as well. With Malik Nabers still facing a lengthy recovery from ACL and meniscus tears and Wan’Dale Robinson entering the open market, Thornton could provide much-needed WR depth at a low price. The interest from the player’s side exists, only time will tell us whether Nagy pushes for a reunion too.