The New York Giants will look to bounce back in 2026 following an underwhelming 2025 campaign.
Star quarterback Jaxson Dart will have a plethora of weapons at his disposal in his second season. New York signed veteran wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Darnell Mooney to one-year deals, while also bolstering the defense by adding cornerback Greg Newsome II and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.
However, Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton believes New York will struggle despite the Giants’ excellent offseason. Moton predicts that the Giants will finish last in the NFC East, as the analyst believes New York’s weaknesses will stem from the offensive side of the football.
While most expect head coach John Harbaugh to change the New York Giants’ culture, it may take some time.
Initially, Big Blue seemed like a dark-horse pick to make the 2026 playoffs, but the club has far too many question marks on the offensive side of the ball to feel good about that projection.
Harbaugh said Malik Nabers didn’t suffer a “simple knee injury,” which creates some uncertainty around the wide receiver’s timetable for return from a torn ACL. According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, the Giants wideout had a second “cleanup” procedure to remove scar tissue from the first surgery.
If Nabers isn’t ready or is less than 100 percent for Week 1, Darius Slayton and tight end Isaiah Likely could see most of the targets in the aerial attack, but they’re unproven as go-to pass-catchers.
Regardless, quarterback Jaxson Dart expects the Giants to be a run-heavy team in 2026, which isn’t an encouraging sign for him, given his inability to stay healthy and avoid hits as a ball-carrier last season. Also, remember, lead running back Cam Skattebo is recovering from a dislocated ankle, a ruptured deltoid ligament and a fractured fibula.
Moton’s prediction will more than likely receive a mix of opinions from Giants and NFL fans alike. Malik Nabers will undoubtedly need to stay healthy for New York to compete in 2026, but the star receiver appears to be well on his way to recovering prior to the September kickoff.
While the Giants defense should be stout with Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter on the edge and the addition of rookie first-rounder Arvell Reese, the team’s potential offensive issues could translate to inconsistencies and scoring droughts.
Typically, the club with the most uncertainties in a division sinks to the bottom of it.
The Giants may emerge as a legitimate contender in 2026 despite Bleacher Report’s prediction. Head coach John Harbaugh and his staff will undoubtedly make an immediate impact this year, and the Giants will look to shine following a complete roster overhaul over the course of the offseason.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants projected to finish last in NFC East despite offseason reload
Reporting by Jake Boico, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jake Boico, Giants Wire | USA TODAY Network
