John Mara is refreshingly honest. Brutally so. You know when he’s mad. More importantly: You know why he’s mad. He minced no words at his year-end news conference while shredding apart his defense, lamenting how tired he was of watching “teams go up and down the field on us.”
General manager Joe Schoen received said message. Fixing Big Blue’s bruised and battered defense was clearly among the offseason’s top priorities. Free agency was his first chance to see that through.
In: Cornerback Paulson Adebo, safety Jevon Holland, pass rusher Chauncey Golston, defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris.
The result: At least on paper… pretty good.
The Giants offense was a disaster a season ago. They finished 30th in yards per game (294.8) and 31st in scoring (16.1). They blamed that on the quarterback. All metrics improve with a player who improves those around them. They didn’t have that with Daniel Jones, Tommy DeVito or Drew Lock. They’re hellbent on finding that player this offseason.
The defense was another animal entirely. Far too often players ran free in New York’s secondary. Far too often the Giants failed to make a play when they needed one. Yes, their offense stunk. But their defense did them no favors. They’re still looking for their quarterback (likely two with a veteran and rookie). In the meantime, they’ve fixed that defense.
Adebo was arguably the top corner available – a young ballhawk stolen from the Saints. Adebo had four interceptions and 18 pass breakups in 2023. He trended toward eclipsing those marks a year ago (three interceptions, 10 breakups) before breaking his femur after seven games. His signing has a trickle-down effect as Deonte Banks now becomes the Giants No. 2 corner (a better role for him) and Dru Phillips the full-time nickel.
The Giants are very high on Tyler Nubin, a safety whom they selected in the second round a year ago. They’ll now pair him with Holland, considered by most to be one of the five best free agents available. Holland dealt with injuries a year ago, but was a dominant force in 2023. Holland finished the season with an interception, four pass breakups and three forced fumbles. He had a 90.4 ProFootballFocus grade.
The linebacker position was already solid (Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Darius Muasau). Golston and Robertson-Harris add to a defensive line already featuring Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns.
That group isn’t just better – it’s good, at least on paper. Maybe best: They’re young. Okereke (28) and Rakeem Nunez-Roches (31) are their oldest projected starters. This doesn’t mean the Giants are destined for the playoffs or ready to compete with the Commanders and Eagles in the NFC East, but they’ve taken a step in the right direction on that side of the ball.
The key now is making the same strides on offense.
The Giants very clearly need their passer still. They remain committed to Aaron Rodgers, if they convince him to come to New York over Pittsburgh or Minnesota. They have Russell Wilson as a fallback. That’s fine. The two are veterans who are better than what the team had a year ago. Neither is the long-term answer, though – another demand of Mara’s was to find that franchise quarterback.
That should come in the draft. Most expect the Giants to be aggressive in an attempt to trade up with the Titans for Cam Ward.
Now they would have the defensive side worked out once he arrives.
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