The New York Giants have enough bright spots currently on the roster to distract fans from their past mistakes, but as we've covered recently, there are still a few alarming whiffs on the books.
While his contract isn't the most expensive, defensive lineman Chauncey Golston might be the biggest miss of the bunch. Just one year after signing a multi-year deal with the G-Men in free agency, the veteran has become almost irrelevant in the team's plans.
Heading into training camp, Golston's spot on the roster might not be as secure as his contract suggests. He's a few bad practices from finding himself on the roster bubble.
Giants' Chauncey Golston contract already looks like an $18 million mistake
Golston capitalized on a strong 2024 season with the Dallas Cowboys, signing a three-year, $18 million contract with the Giants in free agency. The deal included $12 million in guarantees and had incentives that could push the total value up to $19.5 million.
At this point, it's safe to say that most of those incentives won't come into play.
The 28-year-old defensive lineman struggled in his first season with the G-Men. He finished last among qualifying Giants defensive linemen in total pressures and pass-rush grade. After logging 5.5 sacks in his final season with the Cowboys, the veteran had just one in 2025. He was better against the run but was still unable to earn more than a rotational role.
His first season in New York was plagued by injuries. A neck issue kept him out of the lineup for five games in the middle of the year. But even when he was on the field, Golston was unable to make the impact the Giants expected when they signed him.
Now, Golston has been pushed down the depth chart by the additions of Shelby Harris and Sam Roberts. The season-ending injury suffered by Roy Robertson-Harris opens up a role for the veteran defender that otherwise wouldn't have been available to him.
Still, he'll have to fight for positioning on the roster in training camp. Especially with a new coaching staff, nothing is guaranteed.
Releasing Golston now would leave the Giants with a total dead cap hit of $8.25 million. That number may be the only thing keeping him in the building at this point. Unless he turns things around in a big way in 2026, Golston likely won't be on New York's roster a year from now.
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