NFL teams don’t typically make roster additions in mid-February, but when they do, it’s almost always for a futures deal. Futures contracts are essentially camp invites that allow players to compete for roster spots during the offseason.
The New York Giants have already made a flurry of these signings this offseason, including DeMarvin Leal, who was John Harbaugh’s first addition as Big Blue’s new head coach. Leal was signed just over a week after Harbaugh officially took the job. And it didn’t take long for him to make his next move once his coaching staff was finally in place.
On Friday, the newly established regime wasted no time bringing in wide receiver and special teams ace Courtney Jackson, signing him to a futures deal just hours after the Giants officially announced the finalized coaching staff:
NFL transactions show Seattle has re-signed Jalan Gaines, who was with team in camp this year, and that Courtney Jackson, who was on Seattle's practice squad through the Super Bowl, is now with Giants: pic.twitter.com/ZFH6xSphEe
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) February 13, 2026
John Harbaugh starts reshaping Giants special teams with Courtney Jackson signing
Jackson spent the entire 2025 season on the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad after being waived by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft.
The 24-year-old brings experience in the receiving game and, likely most importantly, in the return game. He spent four seasons at Syracuse before transferring to Arkansas State. Throughout his six seasons in college, the Pittsburgh native appeared in 62 games, recording 144 receptions for 1,845 yards (12.8 YPC) and 13 touchdowns. Add the 561 yards and four punt return scores, and it's not hard to see why Harby's interested in the guy.
The G-Men are in a transition phase, and they could use all the help they can get. Harbaugh's a special teams guy, so this signing feels more noteworthy than most futures signings.
Former Baltimore Ravens special teams coordinator Chris Horton followed Harby up I-95 to take the same position in North Jersey after the team didn't retain Michael Ghobrial. Funny enough, Ghobrial just signed on with the Arizona Cardinals as their next STC.
Who knows if Jackson even makes the 53-man roster come August, but it’s obvious the Giants aren’t interested in sitting through another season of underwhelming return play. Big Blue averaged a measly 8.6 yards per punt return and a solid 27.7 on kickoffs last year. Bringing in a guy who can help put Jaxson Dart and Co. in better field position would be wise.
Gunner Olszewski did most of the return work last year, but he'll be a free agent, and it's clear his best days are behind him. Signing Jackson is a very low-risk, high-reward move. Worst-case scenario is he remains on the practice squad or they cut him. Best-case, he becomes Harbaugh and Horton's next Devin Duvernay, who became a two-time Pro Bowler as a returner in Baltimore.
Expect a lot more roster moves as we head deeper into the offseason, especially on the least sexy side of the ball. Harbaugh will make sure the special teams unit is up to snuff in no