Giants' New Year's resolutions as calendar turns to 2026
Clockwise from top left: Giants' Malik Nabers, left, and Jaxson Dart, general manager Joe Schoen, Abdul Carter and Cam Skattebo. Credit: Jim McIsaac; Noah K. Murray (top right)
2025 was another terrible year for the Giants. It began with a loss to the Eagles last January — capping a streak in which the Giants lost 11 of 12 — and it’ll end Sunday with a game against the Raiders as both 2-13 teams try to avoid becoming the NFL’s worst team by record.
The bright spots of Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo and Abdul Carter were overshadowed by giving away leads and the current nine-game losing streak. Visiting fans routinely drowned out home fans at MetLife Stadium.
So with Sunday being the Giants’ final game of 2025 before next week’s season finale, here are some New Year’s resolutions to get things fixed in 2026.
Hire a coach who wins more than a news conference
This is an easy one and priority No. 1 this offseason. Hire the right person who can lead men, fix this defense and get the most out of Dart. This coach needs to turn around a decade of downfall for a franchise with one winning season since 2016.
Win more than three games
Regardless how these final two games go, the Giants have lost 27 of their last 32 games, the most losses they have had in a two-year stretch. Nobody expects the Giants to win 10 games in 2026, but more than three would be nice.
No sophomore slump, off-field headlines for Carter
Carter responded to his second benching by getting at least one sack in his last three games. The rookie has played his best ball and committed to better practice habits and film study. Perhaps that will carry over to an even better second season now that he knows what to expect in the league.
Great recoveries for Skattebo and Malik Nabers
Did fans enjoy Nabers’ IHOP commercial making light of how his ACL injury disappointed fantasy football owners? It was clever and funny. But it’ll be better once he and Skattebo (ankle) delight fans on the field again. The Giants hope both bounce back with no setbacks by Week 1.
Dart takes a leap
For 2026, the Giants’ climb back starts with No. 6 under center. Dart’s rookie year has been solid. His offseason plans should include more sliding drills to make it even more instinctual next year. But there is more room for him to grow, and after his first tour around the league, the Giants hope Dart can take the kind of Year Two climb that Drake Maye and Caleb Williams did.
Get Dart and Nabers some help
Dart had good veterans in his ear with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. Now he needs an upgrade at receiver. He’ll get Nabers back, but both would benefit from another new pass-catcher in the group. The Giants must draft one this spring and Dart's returning weapons must improve. That means Darius Slayton and Theo Johnson. Fix those cases of the drops.
Another strong Brian Burns season without somebody chasing the NFL sack record
In another world, Brian Burns would be a Defensive Player of the Year favorite with 15 sacks. Unfortunately, he won’t win because Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is one sack shy of setting the NFL record of 22 1/2. Maybe Burns can build on his Pro Bowl season with another one in which no one else challenges his production.
Beat the Cowboys
This can be resolved early because the Giants face the Cowboys next weekend. What better way to kick off 2026 than to end a nine-game losing streak vs. an NFC East rival.
If not, no worries. They’ll get two chances next season. The Giants need to stop being the Cowboys’ whipping boy.
Continued good health for Andrew Thomas
Thomas won’t play Sunday because of a hamstring injury and might not play in next week’s finale, but he’s bounced back well from his foot surgery to regain his dominant form. His 13 games are the most he’s played since 2022, when he was an All-Pro. The Giants would love a repeat of that in 2026.
Dexter Lawrence must get back to Pro Bowl status
Lawrence’s streak of making three straight Pro Bowls ended this season. He’s struggled on the field with a career low in sacks, but that should motivate Lawrence to get himself right and return to the playing standard he’s known for.
Notes & quotes: The Giants placed offensive linemen Andrew Thomas and John Michael Schmitz on injured reserve, as well as safety Tyler Nubin and defensive lineman D.J. Davidson. Their seasons are over.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
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