The 2023 season has been a complete and total dumpster fire for the NY Giants. Basically, everything that could've gone wrong has happened. Sitting at 2-7, the bottom of the NFC East and well on their way to a Top 5 draft pick in April, things could start to slip away in terms of team morale if the Giants keep losing badly.
We've seen it in the past, where player frustration boils over during lost seasons and raises concerns about the locker room culture and how the coaching staff handles these situations. While this year has been nothing but disappointment for the Giants, they need to make sure to stay level headed over the last eight games. They voted for 10 captains before the season began, but these four players are crucial to keeping the locker room together for the remainder of the schedule:
4. LB Bobby Okereke
One move the Giants are receiving an early return on their investment from is Bobby Okereke, as the linebacker is becoming a true anchor in the middle of the defense. Okereke has been nothing short of spectacular to begin his Giants tenure, totaling 80 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 6 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and an interception. He's on track for his third-straight 100-tackle season.
Voted as a captain, Okereke is the signal caller and one of the veterans all players look to on the defensive side of the ball. His presence alone has certainly raised the level of play on the second level of the defense, miles ahead of where they were a season ago.
There was no leader to look to at the linebacker position last year, but now there is a vital one in Okereke. He's been on losing teams before, most recently with the Colts last year. For the defense, especially its younger players, Okereke needs to keep everyone on track despite the record.
3. LT Andrew Thomas
Arguably the team's best player, Andrew Thomas returned to the field in Week 9 after missing the previous seven contests. Thomas, after a rocky rookie season, turned the page quickly on his career and has been a star left tackle since. Thomas' stellar play landed him a five year, $117.5 million contract before the campaign began.
Unfortunately for Thomas, his season was derailed after hurting his hamstring in Week 1. It's been frustrating for the veteran tackle, as he suffered a setback in his recovery which made him miss more time. Despite that, Thomas returned to the field against Las Vegas like he never left. Whether it was getting to the second level with ease in the run game or completely shutting down edge-rushers, Thomas' return was exciting for fans and the team to watch, no matter what the score was.
Thomas is still young at 24 years old, but he is no doubt the team's best offensive lineman by far. There's been frustration all year long with the rotation of players along the unit. Thomas hasn't had the season he'd hoped for, but he still came to play and did his job at a high level last Sunday. He needs to show the rest of the team that despite the roadblocks put in front of him this year, he was able to overcome them and still perform efficiently. Relate his struggles to how the team has played this entire year. It's been a dreadful season, but Thomas can speak to the team about continuing to give their best each and every play.
2. DT Dexter Lawrence
The most dominant player on the Giants' defensive line is Dexter Lawrence. Sexy Dexy earned All-Pro honors last year and turned that into a four-year extension worth $90 million. Lawrence had an incredible 2022, posting career highs in tackles (68), sacks (7.5), tackles for loss (7), quarterback hits (28), pressures (36) and pass breakups (3). So, basically a career year for Lawrence last season.
Lawrence has been very vocal about his hatred for losing. As he should, as Giants teams won just 14 games in his first three years. Lawrence knows what it's like to be on the losing side of the spectrum, and was part of lost seasons before. With the way this one is shaping up to be, Lawrence is going to have to use his past to keep his unit focused despite the record.
Especially in the trenches, tensions can rise quickly if a game starts to slip away. Now that his counterpart in Leonard Williams was traded away, Lawrence is going to be the main defensive lineman looked to when things go haywire. Fans have full belief in Lawrence still playing like a superstar the rest of the way.
1. Saquon Barkley
Talk about a player that has faced adversity, Saquon Barkley is going to be a leader this team desperately needs the rest of the way. Especially with the way the offense has lacked production all season long, Barkley will not only be receiving numerous touches, but will also be looked upon as the season unfolds.
With Daniel Jones out for the season due to a torn ACL and Tyrod Taylor on IR, undrafted rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito is being handed the reigns of the offense. DeVito has already appeared in the last two games, but will start his first career game on Sunday in Dallas. He's going to lean heavily on Barkley, who he'll be sharing the backfield with. This is a good thing, as having a dynamic player like Saquon does wonders for an offense. It hasn't been the case this year, but Barkley's impact on and off the field is unmatched.
Losing seasons, injuries, media and fan scrutinization... Barkley has been through it all during his time in New York. Despite all of that, he's been outspoken about wanting to remain a Giant for life. He's constantly walking up and down the sidelines encouraging his teammates no matter what the scoreboard says. As the second longest-tenured Giant, Barkley is going to need to step up even more as a leader for the remainder of the season.