By week 5 of the 2022 season, the Giants had begun to stack up wins. They manufactured victories against anemic Titans and Panthers squads that would finish the season 7-10, and a win against a moribund Bears team that trudged to a 3-14 record in the NFC North’s basement. The Giants, already cast as paper tigers,faced off against a red-hot Packers squad across the pond. 

 

The Packers were riding a three week win streak after being blown out by newly-minted head coach Kevin O’Connell and his Minnesota Vikings, while the Giants were touchdown-plus underdogs in their first Sunday morning test of the year. Surely the team with five consecutive 10+ loss seasons would wilt under the bright lights in London? 

 

It was not to be. 

 

Coming back from a 20-10 deficit at the half, Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkely would overwhelm the Green and Gold in the 4th to secure their first win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Riding the rising tide, New York went on to win three of their next four en route to an optimism-inducing 7-2 start. However, after a win against the tanking Texans in week 10, they would limp to a 9-7-1 record, entering the postseason as road dogs against the NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings.  

 

While capturing impressive wins and come-from-behind victories, a negative season point differential had the Vikings on a league-wide fraud alert. Nonetheless, they were widely expected to handle the fading Giants in their playoff debut. But if that was the script the Vikings were handed, the Giants never received a copy. Far from cowed, Daniel Jones stepped up and showed out in a performance where he led both squads in rushing and passing yards. While he would fall to the Super Bowl bound Eagles, his 31-24 win in the Wild Card Round had made the Giants believers.  

 

After the season’s end, the Giants inked Jones to a four year, $160 million dollar contract that included $80 million guaranteed over the next two years. Unfortunately, Jones would reward their faith in him with 6 games played the next season, and a lonely win over the last-place Cardinals. He would follow that up with miserable production in 2024, doubling his win total from the previous year, and getting released by November. Less than two years after their Cinderella playoff run, the Giants cut ties with Jones and Barkely, and cleaned house. 

 

So where are the Giants now?

 

The Giants are now moving towards something all owners dream of: a team that can consistently compete (and win) in their division and beyond. Gone are the days of plug-and-plays Isaiah Hodgins, Richie James, and Daniel Bellinger. The Giants now boast legitimate talent at their skill positions. While sophomore QB Jaxon Dart (Ole Miss – 25th overall 2025) doesn’t have Saquon Barkely to hand the ball off to, Tyrone Tracy and Cam Skattebo (Arizona State) are more than worthy options for new coordinator Matt Nagy. While signing and drafting Darnell Mooney (Bears) and Malik Nabers (LSU – 6th overall in 2024) was impressive, the return of NY legend Odell Beckham Jr. anchors the formerly disjointed collection of offensive talent.

 

The defense has been a serious concern in recent seasons. But GM Joe Schoen is righting the ship. The Giants already have massive star power in DE Brian Burns, S Tyler Nubin, and LB Bobby Okereke. Former Titans Defensive Coordinator Dennard Wilson, who gets the most out of his players, will certainly help them maximize it. The Giants also used the 2026 draft as an opportunity to take prized prospects LB Arvell Reese (OSU – 5th overall) and CB Colton Hood (Tennessee – 37th overall) to further strengthen their roster. 

 

Perhaps most importantly New York hired a talented, veteran head coach. John Harbaugh, one of the most respected head coaches in this era; a Super Bowl champ with the Ravens is a complete game-changer for a team that lacked discipline in 2025. 

 

The Giants have retooled and rebuilt the right way. No longer paying for aging, expensive stars they have a young talented core with a veteran head coach leading the way. While injuries are a concern with Skattebo and Nabers, there is new life in New York. This team has the youth, the leadership and the flexibility to right the ship. While the 2022 run was magical, the Giants are building a contender, not a one-off, and it seems like quality football might be back for Big Blue Nation.