The New York Giants have a wide range of outcomes in 2026. John Harbaugh could lead an improved roster to a surprise playoff appearance. Or Big Blue could fall flat on its face, leading Harbaugh to clean house next offseason.
The answer will be determined by a few players in potentially career-defining seasons. The Giants have gambled on these five players this offseason.
Their performances will decide their futures with the squad.
5 Giants players with everything on the line in 2026
CB Deonte Banks
Banks looked like he was having a career resurgence under a new staff earlier this offseason. He became one of the stories of training camp, impressing defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson with his physicality and determination.
Per the New York Post, Wilson said, "I think he had a helluva offseason. [Banks] has been one of those guys that's kind of been running to coaching. He's not running away from it."
But the former first-round pick wasn't able to keep up his momentum in the preseason. He failed to take over a starting cornerback job, despite Paulson Adebo and Greg Newsome II leaving their spots wide open. Still, Banks will play a rotational role this season. If he builds on a strong offseason, the Giants will have no choice but to bring him back for another year.
QB Jaxson Dart
After an up-and-down rookie season, Dart still has plenty of doubters. His somewhat reckless style of play leads to a grab bag of highlights and lowlights that aren't sustainable for a team trying to make a playoff push.
Offseason reports have indicated that Dart has been slow to adjust to offensive coordinator Matt Nagy's scheme. His preseason performances were emblematic of his rookie season, as he alternated between jaw-dropping throws and glaring mistakes.
Dart needs to prove that he can play within the structure of the offense, progress through his reads, and hit his targets consistently. His off-schedule creation is still important to his game, but he can't win by playing backyard football. If he can't show progress, Harbaugh might not have much patience.
C John Michael Schmitz
Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Schmitz Jr. has to show the Giants why they should bring him back. Through three years, the second-round pick has been a below-average starter at center.
He's having to learn a new scheme, and his offseason was limited by a concussion in training camp. Schmitz Jr. is New York's starter for now, but he hasn't done enough to earn a second contract. If he can't show significant improvement in year four, Big Blue will move on in 2027.
WR Darius Slayton
Slayton has plummeted down the depth chart and may be a healthy scratch in Week 1. He was definitively outplayed by rookie third-round pick Malachi Fields throughout training camp and the preseason.
Still, Slayton has an opportunity to work his way back into the lineup. The Giants' receiver group is relatively thin.
It's hard to see the Giants choosing to sign Slayton to a new deal after how badly they overpaid for him, but a decent season could be enough to convince Harbaugh and Joe Schoen to let the wideout play out the final year of his deal.
TE Isaiah Likely
Of the players included on this list, Likely may have the most secure spot. New York signed him to a three-year, $40 million deal this offseason.
But this is Likely's first opportunity to be a full-time starter. He's expected to be Dart's No. 2 target, behind Malik Nabers. Can he live up to his potential in a larger role?
According to training camp reports, the tight end has been Dart's favorite target. Hopefully, that connection continues into the regular season.
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