Every offseason, we see teams dubbed winners or losers from their different moves. This has caused the question to be asked: Did the NY Giants win, or lose the offseason?
We believe that it is very clear that the NY Giants were not only winners of the offseason, but had one of the better ones in the entire NFL.
Last season, the Giants were one of the worst teams in the NFL, finishing with a record of 4-13. However, after a multitude of coaching staff changes, draft picks, and free agent signings, it seems as if big changes could be coming for the G-Men. In this piece, we take a look at four ways NY won the offseason.
4. New and improved regime
The NY Giants had arguably one of the worst front office/coaching staffs in the entire NFL last season. With the combination of Joe Judge and Dave Gettleman making it nearly impossible to watch the team.
However, with the firing of Judge and the “retirement” of Gettleman, it was time for the NY Giants to find replacements. With this in mind, they brought in former Buffalo Bills assistant GM Joe Schoen, who in turn hired former Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
Since joining the Giants, Schoen has made a multitude of signings, plus inked draft picks who have improved the team immensely. When you combine this with the potential improvement that both Daboll and new offensive coordinator Mike Kafka could bring, things could get very exciting for the Giants.
NY Giants fans have been without a competent head coach since the days of Tom Coughlin. If Daboll can step up and take the reigns as the next head coach of the future, the NY Giants may see success very soon.
If the two top members of this new regime can perform at the level we all think they can, things could be getting much better very soon for the Giants.
3. Revamped offensive line
Outside of Andrew Thomas, the NY Giants arguably had zero starting caliber offensive linemen suit up for them last season, especially after starting center Nick Gates went down with a gruesome leg injury in Week 2.
When he was first signed as the new GM of the NY Giants in 2018, Gettleman made it known that he was looking to improve the offensive line. However, in four seasons, the NY Giants were only able to draft or sign one offensive lineman worth keeping in the form of Thomas.
While the season has yet to start, it already seems like Schoen has done a better job in one offseason than Gettleman has done in four -signing two very solid offensive linemen in Mark Glowinski and Jon Feliciano. On top of that, Schoen and Co. took right tackle Evan Neal with the No. 7 overall pick.
The NY Giants have had one of the worst offensive lines in the entire NFL for years now. For Schoen to step in and make several much needed improvements to such a position of need could be huge for the team’s future.
2. Drafted players in many positions of need
The NY Giants absolutely killed the 2022 NFL Draft, selecting several great players in positions of need. Last season, NY had one of the worst pass rushes in the league, ranking 22nd in sacks, 27th in QB knockdowns and 24th in QB hurries. How did they fix this issue? By drafting Kayvon Thibodeaux No. 5 overall, arguably the best pass rusher in the class.
The Giants also had one of the worst offensive lines in the league and were in need of a right tackle. They fixed this hole by drafting Neal No. 7 overall, the best offensive tackle in the draft. Whether it be linebackers, tight ends, corners, or safeties, the NY Giants and Schoen did a fantastic job with the draft, selecting so many fantastic players in positions that needed to be fixed.
Some other names from the draft are Cor’Dale Flott, who will likely be fighting for the CB2 position. Daniel Bellinger, a tight end out of San Diego State University, has a good chance of starting at the position next season. Another player who could make a massive impact is fourth-round pick Dane Belton.
While the Giants have a franchise player at safety in the form of Xavier McKinney, they have somewhat of a gap opposite to him. If Belton can step up and showcase the coverage skills he had in college, then there is a very good chance that he will start opposite of McKinney, forming what could be a very deadly coverage safety duo.
1. Cleared up cap space for the future
One of the most underrated moves made by Schoen this offseason was cutting players and restructuring multiple contracts in order to clear up cap space for future seasons.
Schoen’s offseason of cap clearing started when he released veteran safety Logan Ryan. While this only cleared up around $800,000 in cap for this season, Ryan was under contract until 2024, meaning his money would have been on the books for an extended period of time.
Other notable moves include cutting former Pro Bowl corner James Bradberry, which freed up around $10.2 million. Alongside restructuring the contracts of Sterling Shepard and Blake Martinez, which freed up $3.25 million and $6 million, respectively.
Another underrated move made by Schoen was declining QB Daniel Jones’ fifth-year option, which would have been around $22 million. All of these moves, combined with smaller releases such as Devontae Booker, Riley Dixon and Kyle Rudolph, make up for the Giants to have a tremendous amount of cap space next season.
According to Spotrac.com. the Giants are estimated to have around $50 million in cap for the 2023 season, the fourth highest in the NFL. Schoen put on a master class of money saving this offseason, and with a pretty stacked 2023 free agency class, he might show just how valuable these moves are by potentially signing some star players.