In 2025, the New York Giants continued to struggle on special teams, and it could certainly be improved. New head coach John Harbaugh has come in and completely flipped the script with the multitude of roster and coaching staff changes.
Related: Giants’ 5-kicker nightmare looks even more ridiculous in the numbers
How can he change the special teams game, too?
John Harbaugh's special teams wizardry will be in full effect in 2026
Overhaul all the facets
The first, and arguably the most important step to fixing the special teams, is fixing the kicking game. We all knew how important a good field goal kicker was to Harbaugh and his tenure with the Baltimore Ravens, as he had one of the greatest kickers of all-time in Justin Tucker.
Graham Gano, who has been the Giants' kicker since 2020, was just released. He was 9-for-10 last season in the five games that he suited up before being unable to play due to neck pain. He only suited up for 23 games over the last three whole NFL seasons due to that neck injury, among other things.
Gano will most likely be replaced by Jason Sanders, a former Miami Dolphins kicker. Sanders is a career-84.6% for field goals, with a career-high of 57. He did not play in 2025, however.
In terms of the staff, Chris Horton comes over from Baltimore as Special Teams coordinator. This seems like it has become a recurring theme for Harbaugh's arrival at the Giants. He wants his guys to be under him, and he has full control of the staff that he wants to have with him on gameday. With his legacy and pedigree, the Giants are doing the right thing by letting Harbaugh do what he wants with that aspect.
Special teams changes the game
In today's NFL, it is easy to forget about the importance of special teams. Flipping field position is a crucial part of the game, and much like the Giants have had to endure over the last couple of years, game-winning field goals from high-50's to low-60's yards away are a bitter pill to swallow.
Think back to Dallas Cowboys star kicker Brandon Aubrey, and how much he changes their entire offense by being able to kick the ball 64 yards to send a game into overtime, in which he then won in the extra frame with a 46-yarder.
Harbaugh knows this better than anyone, when he had Tucker on his roster. He was a key part of the game plan, and now, he looks to try to replicate it with his new coaching assignment, the G-Men. The only thing is, this special teams regime needs a complete overhaul, and he has already gotten things off to a nice start in improving it.