Just like every other team in football, the New York Giants have been forced to make pressing decisions while cutting the roster down to 53. Preseason darlings like Greg Dulcich and Turbo Miller, and fan favorites such as Tommy DeVito were shown the door on the day many call the most emotional in the NFL.
The return man competition in East Rutherford has been one of the more intriguing position battles this offseason. The competition has mainly been between receivers Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Gunner Olszewski, but recent releases Dalen Cambre and Montrell Washington were also in the mix at one point.
Smith-Marsette was the primary return man for Big Blue last season after Olszewski suffered a season-ending groin injury before Week 1. But the Bemidji State product is healthy again, which is why the G-Men opted to release Smith-Marsette prior to the 4:00 p.m. roster deadline, per ESPN's Jordan Raanan.
The Giants waived WR/KR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, per source. He had a kick return for a touchdown last season and had a punt return TD called back. Averaged 34.6 yards per kickoff return last season.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 26, 2025
Thought he would get another chance to be the #Giants returner.
Gunner Olszewski uses receiving background to win Giants’ return man battle
After missing all of 2024, the 28-year-old was brought in mid-summer after Bryce Ford-Wheaton went down and still managed to win the job. He is a far superior receiver to ISM, and he flashed a strong connection with Jameis Winston in the Giants’ preseason opener. And the All-Pro special teamer even had a big gain on a toss from Jaxson Dart against the Patriots.
In his career, he has seven receiving touchdowns to Smith-Marsette’s zero, so it makes sense to hold onto the special teamer with more offensive potential. Additionally, the native Texan has more than double the kick and punt return yards of his primary competition.
As for Smith-Marsette, the 25-year-old Newark native was a fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Iowa, and has bounced around the league since. He’s had stints in Chicago, Carolina, and New York, and should soon join his fifth NFL team in five seasons.
Now the Giants’ receiver room is set. Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Darius Slayton, Beaux Collins, and Olszewski will be suiting up for Week 1 against the Commanders, giving Brian Daboll an explosive group to utilize for New York’s new air attack.
With the roster set in stone and the return man role finally decided, the Giants are now positioned to open 2025 with a clearer identity on special teams, with a player the team knows they can trust fielding kicks while contributing as a depth receiver.
Special teams was an area where the Giants struggled, but fans can expect another leap under second-year special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial, who finally has the pieces in place to see his unit improve.
If Big Blue wants to finally make a statement in 2025, consistency on special teams will be just as crucial as big plays on offense and defense, and for the first time in a while, the G-Men have the pieces to make that happen.