All offseason long, the New York Giants have found ways to benefit from hiring a head coach with the expertise of John Harbaugh. After all, almost two decades as an NFL head coach and a Super Bowl ring typically teach you a thing or two... or several about how to get the job done more efficiently.
While the culture change under Harbaugh has been great, that's hardly been the biggest impact his experience has made on the Giants. While they were whittling down the roster from 90 players to 53, he was able to use his experience to ensure that every spot on the initial roster was put to good use.
New York opted not to roster presumed punt returner Braxton Berrios on the initial 53--but they were able to use John Harbaugh's gamesmanship to save him a roster spot without actually using one, to the point that Harbs himself actively revealed what the Giants' plan is for the veteran wideout.
"The plan with Berrios is treat him like he's playing on the 53," Harbaugh said. "We have an opportunity, the way that you can work the roster now, to do that. And that's the plan."
Braxton Berrios is benefiting from a John Harbaugh roster trick
The Giants rostered just five wide receivers: Malik Nabers, Malachi Fields, Darnell Mooney, Darius Slayton, and Odell Beckham Jr.--but Berrios is essentially No. 6. He's not on the active roster; he was signed back to the practice squad, where the plan is to elevate him to the roster before Week 1.
The Giants are re-signing WR Braxton Berrios to their practice squad with the expectation that he will be playing in the first game.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2026
On paper, Big Blue can elevate the All-Pro returner from the practice squad three times before having to sign him to the 53-man roster to keep using him on game days. And based on Harbaugh’s comments, it sounds like the Giants plan to take advantage of that flexibility with Berrios, starting as early as Week 1.
For reference, the Giants are rostering five running backs (but that number includes FB Pat Ricard) and four tight ends. They have no shortage of players they’re protecting for now, but that could change if they eventually decide to add Berrios to the 53-man roster for good.
The 30-year-old has nearly 200 combined kick and punt returns across his eight-year (soon to be nine-year NFL career). The G-Men intentionally brought him in as receiver (and return) depth to do just that after Gunner Olszewski went down. If they don't elevate him, Deonte Banks will handle return duties, and I know nobody wants that.
Braxton Berrios is clearly going to be part of the Giants’ plans, even if his name isn’t technically on the 53-man roster right now. And the only reason New York can play the numbers game this way is that Harbaugh knows exactly how to take advantage of every roster maneuver available to him.
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