Sometimes it’s too early to make a call in training camp. Other times, it’s already written on the wall. This one feels like it’s been etched in stone since last season. It’s only August, and the New York Giants are practically being handed a get-out-of-jail-free card at center. They just won’t use it.
John Michael Schmitz is entering Year 3 after being drafted to be the team's franchise center. But right now, he’s somehow managed to look like the biggest liability in a position group that has no shortage of competition for that honor. That’s pretty impressive. For all the wrong reasons.
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And yet, no matter how rough it gets out there for the 26-year-old, the odds of him actually getting released are zero. His leash might be fraying, but it’s still very much there.
John Michael Schmitz isn’t helping his case at Giants training camp
It’s easy to understand why Schmitz was given a lot of chances. He was a second-round pick in 2023, the top center on a lot of boards, and looked exactly like the start of what this team wanted to build.
But fast-forward two seasons filled with underwhelming play, followed by a rocky camp start that includes messed-up snaps and getting tossed around by a rookie linebacker, it’s probably time to stop chalking it up to growing pains.
Schmitz had three bad snaps in a single practice. That’s more than just a red flag. That’s the kind of thing that gets guys cut in most camps. Not just put on the sidelines. Donezo. But because of his draft pedigree and the fact they don't necessarily have another immediate option, he'll likely stay put.
He’s already allowed 11 sacks and nearly 60 pressures in two seasons. So when Abdul Carter throws him around like he's nothing, it's not nothing. It's a player in his third season, still not fixing the issues that have plagued him for years.
Greg Van Roten is sitting right there. He’s older, more durable, more stable, and more versatile. He’s by no means the future of the position, but at least he can probably get the ball to the quarterback. If that’s not enough to put Schmitz on notice, what is?
The Giants took JMS to anchor the line for the long haul. Right now, they’re still waiting for that version to show up. Whether they want to admit it or not, time’s running out.