John Michael Schmitz Jr. has teetered on the edge of capable starter and glaring weakness since he was drafted in 2023. The New York Giants center is set to hold down a starting role again in 2026 after a quick recovery from his training camp injury.
This may be his last chance to prove himself, though. Schmitz Jr. is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Giants haven't made any moves to extend him yet.
After a massive increase in center contracts across the NFL this offseason, the 27-year-old has a lot of money on the line.
John Michael Schmitz has to prove himself worthy of a new Giants contract in 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders completely shattered the center market this offseason when they signed Tyler Linderbaum to a three-year, $81 million contract. At $27 million per year, his deal is easily the most expensive in the league at his position.
While other center contracts didn't come close to Linderbaum's, teams were willing to dish out significant money for upgrades at the position. Cade Mays, Tyler Biadasz, and Elgton Jenkins, all average centers, each made at least $8.3 million per year on their contracts this offseason.
Schmitz Jr. isn't sniffing Linderbaum's value, but with an impressive 2026 campaign, he could earn a three-year deal in the $30 million range. Whether that deal comes from the Giants or not, teams are ready to pay up for starting-caliber centers.
The Giants' former second-round draft pick will need to earn his pay day in 2026. He has started 41 games for New York over the last three seasons, allowing pressure on 2.8% of his pass-blocking snaps. For the most part, he has been passable, but never dominant.
With top-ten draft pick Francis Mauigoa playing to his right, Schmitz Jr. should be able to improve this season. However, he doesn't fit the typical mold of a John Harbaugh offensive lineman. The new head coach tends to prefer big maulers up front, and Schmitz Jr. is relatively undersized.
His training camp concussion forced the Giants to look into other options at the position, but he quickly regained his spot in the starting lineup when he returned. Former undrafted free agent Bryan Hudson, whom the G-Men signed during camp, is set to be his primary backup.
A strong season could earn Schmitz Jr. a massive pay raise in 2027. If he fails to live up to Harbaugh's expectations, though, he could be left without a job.
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