The New York Giants are doing their best to bury the ghosts of last season’s absolute nightmare in the kicking department. The 2025 campaign was an abject disaster, forcing the team to cycle through a ridiculous five-kicker carousel that made you think anyone with a pulse could have done a better job.
General manager Joe Schoen made it clear the bleeding had to stop, leading to an entire special teams shakeup over the offseason.
That overhaul began by clearing the decks, including signing and subsequently cutting Jason Sanders earlier in the offseason to pave the way for fresh blood. The strategy culminated after the draft when the Giants secured former Michigan standout Dominic Zvada as a top-priority undrafted free agent target.
Now, the 22-year-old rookie is locked in a fierce training camp battle against incumbent Ben Sauls. After a monster minicamp and OTAs, things didn't start as smoothly for the former Michigan man, as Zvada visibly struggled on Day 1 of training camp, missing two what would seem to be routine 34- and 43-yard kicks.
But it's about how you respond, and let's just say his response on Day 2 was loud and clear.
Giants got the Dominic Zvada they were hoping for on Day 2 of training camp
It's unwise to panic over a rookie's first training camp practice -- especially an undrafted one's -- but Zvada's major bounce-back on Day 2 showed incredible mental resilience.
Practice wrapped up with a two-minute drill for everyone. Backup quarterback Brandon Allen spiked the ball with one second left on the clock, giving Zvada-matic the perfect opportunity to impress in a big way. All he did was absolutely pulverize a 57-yard field goal, splitting the uprights with room to spare.
From my perspective, that response is exactly why the Giants immediately signed the former Bakken-Andersen Big Ten Kicker of the Year winner. It's easy to fold after a rough first day, but Zvada proved he has the short memory required to survive in this league, especially as a kicker.
Make no mistake, this is still a wide-open dogfight against Sauls. While Sauls represents the safer play, he simply doesn't come close to offering the explosive, field-flipping ceiling that Zvada does. Zvada gives Harbaugh a dynamic weapon that can alter outcomes past the opponent's 40-yard line.
Zvada is so back after shaking off a not-so-great first day to deliver a practice-ending -- and confidence-boosting -- dagger. If he keeps launching 57-yard missiles into orbit, New York's priority UDFA gamble is going to look like an absolute steal come September.
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