The 2026 New York Giants are almost unrecognizable compared to their 2025 version. After a coaching change, a blockbuster trade, two top-ten picks, and a spending spree in free agency, this team has gone through as much offseason turnover as any.
It may be too early to give any final verdicts, but most of New York's offseason moves look like clear wins.
We ranked the top eight moves the Giants made this offseason, with an obvious No. 1 to round out the list.
8. Retained, extended Joe Schoen
There's a reason that Schoen's return ranks eighth on our list. The general manager has made more than his fair share of mistakes throughout his four offseasons at the helm. While it has certainly been better over the last three years, his questionable draft history can't be ignored.
But he clearly has a strong partnership with John Harbaugh. Schoen isn't the man to turn the Giants around, but he doesn't need to be. He can take a backseat as Harbaugh takes on more of the control within the building. There was some short-term backlash here, but keeping Schoen around may prove to be the best decision for the long haul.
7. Let Wan'Dale Robinson walk in free agency
The moment the Giants saw the $78 million price tag on Wan'Dale Robinson, it became clear that they were right to let him leave. The wide receiver might have enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2025, but he's not worth WR1 money. Handing out that sort of deal would have hamstrung Schoen and Harbaugh in filling out the rest of the roster.
Even if Robinson has looked good this offseason for the Titans, New York won't regret passing him over.
6. Signed Isaiah Likely
Harbaugh brought quite a few of his former Baltimore Ravens players with him this offseason, but Likely made the most sense. The tight end is primed for a breakout season after escaping Mark Andrews' shadow and should be a focal point of Big Blue's offense. On a relatively affordable deal, this is a big win for the G-Men.
5. Filled out the WR room with reliable veterans
New York's wide receiver spending spree late in the offseason may not have landed any superstars, but it established a floor at the position that didn't exist in 2025. With players like Odell Beckham Jr. and JuJu Smith-Schuster at the end of the bench, Jaxson Dart doesn't have to worry about being left without reliable targets in the middle of the season.
4. Drafted Arvell Reese
Reese fell right into the Giants' lap in the NFL Draft. Considered by some analysts to be the top player in the class, the linebacker was a no-brainer pick, even if he didn't exactly fit what the G-Men needed. His versatility to play both off-ball linebacker and edge rusher gives New York roster flexibility and a cornerstone to build the defense around moving forward.
After taking Reese and Francis Mauigoa, the draft was an automatic win for the Giants.
3. Signed Tremaine Edmunds
New York's linebacker play was horrific last season. A major change needed to be made, and Edmunds brings in the veteran stability that was missing from the unit. He's been a reliable veteran for the Chicago Bears in recent years and figures to be the same for Big Blue.
While the contract certainly raised some eyebrows, we can't argue with the signing itself.
2. Traded Dexter Lawrence
As much as he defined the previous era of Giants football, it was time to move on from Dexter Lawrence. The G-Men came away clear winners after getting back the No. 10 overall pick in the deal, which they used to draft Mauigoa.
Losing Lawrence hurts, but the Giants got out at the perfect time.
1. Hired John Harbaugh as head coach
This was the obvious No. 1 on this list. Harbaugh may not have been able to find much postseason success in his final years with the Ravens, but he's the proven winner that Big Blue needed to hire. His championship-caliber culture has already made an impact.
Even if he ends up falling short in New York, the Giants followed the right process with this move.
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