The New York Giants have had a productive offseason, making several notable free-agent signings, such as tight end Isaiah Likely, defensive tackle D.J. Reader, and wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and JuJu Smith-Schuster. They also added a rookie class consisting of Arvell Reese, Francis Mauigoa, and Colton Hood.
Those additions leave Big Blue fans hopeful about what the Giants’ first season under John Harbaugh might bring and help build for the future. They also give the Giants veterans with plenty of experience who can help the team win immediately.
One of those veteran players is Pro Bowl linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who many would agree was one of the Giants’ best additions this offseason. Big Blue fans should be hyped about him joining this defense, but not everyone sees him as a good signing for the G-Men, including one national analyst.
ESPN's Seth Walder was not a fan of the Tremaine Edmunds signing
ESPN's Seth Walder recently gave his 2026 NFL offseason grades for all 32 teams, which included every team's free-agent signings, draft picks, and other moves, such as coaching changes.
Walder gave the Giants a B+, saying the moves were laying the foundation for long-term success rather than short-term.
Walder added that New York's biggest move was hiring John Harbaugh as its head coach. And the move he liked the most was trading away Dexter Lawrence because it opened the door for the team to draft Mauigoa with the tenth overall pick, and the move he disliked the most was signing Edmunds.
That certainly raises quite a few eyebrows, considering Edmunds’ career with the Buffalo Bills and, most recently, the Chicago Bears. The 28-year-old is a two-time Pro Bowler, both coming during his tenure with the Bills, and has totaled 900 tackles, 8.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, 14 interceptions, and one defensive touchdown across eight seasons.
Edmunds also has a prior relationship with Giants general manager Joe Schoen from their time together in Buffalo, so a reunion in New York makes sense, especially given the team’s need to sign an inside linebacker to replace Bobby Okereke and mentor Reese.
Walder’s main concern with the Giants' signing of Edmunds was his contract: a three-year, $36 million deal he called an overpay. The G-Men released Okereke after he signed a four-year, $40 million contract in 2023, freeing up $9 million in cap space. Complain about Edmunds' contract all you like, it's a minor pay increase for a better player who shores up a position of need.
I would argue that the Edmunds signing, along with the Giants' signing of Isaiah Likely, a much-needed weapon for Jaxson Dart, were the team’s two best and biggest moves in free agency. The G-Men bring in two veteran players with experience working with Harbaugh and Schoen, who can help the team compete immediately.
Only time will tell if the decision to sign Edmunds was the right move, but something tells me Walder may be eating his words by Week 1.
Add us as a preferred source on Google