If last offseason's free agent spending spree taught New York Giants fans anything, it's that having cap space only matters if you actually know what to do with it. Still, it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
General manager Joe Schoen definitely thought he was going to get a lot more out of Paulson Adebo, Jevón Holland, Chauncey Golston, and James Hudson III than what they've collectively given this team in Year 1. Adebo has looked terrible. Holland's been unhealthy and inconsistent. And Golston and Hudson are borderline unplayable.
It's certainly not what anyone was expecting -- or hoping for -- when Schoen threw $130 million at them, but what can you do?
The G-Men will enter the 2026 offseason with a projected $17.344 million in available cap space, per Over the Cap. That's not a lot of money to play with, but there's a pretty easy way to push that number closer to a comfortable $42 million: roster cuts.
Giants have 25 million reasons to clean house this offseason
Big Blue has four obvious roster cuts staring them in the face once the offseason hits -- and together, they’d free up $25 million in cap space. Jon Runyan has been a liability at left guard. His play hasn’t improved since last season, and his Pro Football Focus grades continue to hover in the mid-50s. There’s just no reason to keep him on the roster when they can save $9.25 million by parting ways.
Graham Gano’s contract might sneaky be Schoen’s worst. Since his extension in 2023, he’s missed 24 games and is converting just 76% of his field goals. They can save $4.5 million by cutting him loose and finally finding a more consistent leg. The special teams' struggles have been synonymous with the Giants' failure for too long. It's time to course correct.
Devin Singletary fell out of the running back rotation early in the season. That was even before Cam Skattebo suffered his brutal injury. The 28-year-old was already behind Tyrone Tracy on the depth chart. He's a borderline non-factor, whose $5.25 million savings make him an easy target.
And James Hudson’s last offensive snap was the Dallas disaster in Week 2. Known as a fiery guy, the 26-year-old completely lost his cool. Personal foul calls for punching opposing players, a sideline blow-up on the coaching staff and teammates, and four penalties on their first drive will be his New York legacy. The Giants can pocket $5.5 million and never speak of that signing again.
With those cuts, they’d go from $17 million to $42 million. That’s enough to re-sign guys like Wan’Dale Robinson, Micah McFadden, and Cor’Dale Flott. They could maybe take a run at upgrades like OG Zion Johnson, DL John Franklin-Myers, or DL Travis Jones.
Armed with the No. 1 overall pick in 2026, a new head coach, a young core group of players, and more cap space, the future in East Rutherford looks brighter than ever -- it's not like it can get any worse. Right?