The New York Giants enter the next phase of their off-season program with the start of OTAs this week. The team celebrated the milestone in their calendar by holding a town hall at the Beacon Theater in NYC to preview the 2026 season.
Some of the biggest names around the Giants franchise were in attendance, including general manager Joe Schoen, head coach John Harbaugh, quarterback Jaxson Dart, running back Cam Skattebo, edge defenders Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. The Giants also had their rookies on the stage as well, with Arvell Reese, guard Francis Mauigoa, and cornerback Colton Hood all there.
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Harbaugh was introduced to thunderous applause and praised Giants fans as “unbelievable” and shared a story from his decision to join the Giants earlier this year.
Harbaugh added that the team needs to win games for their fans.
The season starts as a clean slate for everyone, and it doesn’t matter what any of the Giants’ division rivals did a year ago. “All I care about,” Harbaugh said, “is tomorrow’s practice.”
That practice is the start of the Giants’ OTAs on Tuesday. “The guys have been working hard,” he said. “They’re ready to start OTAs tomorrow.”
Harbaugh believes his team will surprise people this year and wants the team to dictate terms for their opponents on offense in addition to defense.
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There haven’t been many clues yet as to what the Giants’ offense will look like, but Harbaugh said that they want to be unpredictable on first and second down. “I don’t want to be at the mercy of the (opposing) defense,” he said. “We’ve got to make them decide if it’s run or pass.”
He added that he believes the Giants could have the best tight end room in the NFL between Isaiah Likely, Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz, Thomas Fidone II, and Tanner Conner.
According to edge defender Kayvon Thibodeaux, it will all start with the head coach as Harbaugh is always testing the players’ limits. He believes that the pressure to meet and exceed their limits will pay dividends for the team. “This is a perfect year for a miracle story,” Thibodeaux said.
Jaxson Dart added that the coach holds himself to the same standards. “He’s working out in the weight room at 4:30 in the morning before we even get there.”
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Mauigoa later spoke about a different kind of pressure — the pressure of keeping Dart upright.
“That’s the type of pressure you want,” he said. “I’d rather it be on me than anybody else.”
Second-year running back Cam Skattebo, who took the stage in typical fashion, is probably just as happy to see Mauigoa in Giants blue as Dart is. Skattebo told fans that he’ll be ready to go for Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys. He also added, “Wait until you see me for 17 games.”
Skattebo is predicting a big year for himself and the Giants. Not only is he predicting a playoff berth and a “17-plus” game schedule, but he’s set lofty expectations. “it’s going to be 300 carries for over 2,000 yards,” he said.
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Turning to the defensive side of the ball, Harbaugh seemed almost giddy at how the defense has been transformed from a year ago.
He noted that he believes the Giants’ cornerbacks are wildly underrated and the “two safeties” (Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin) have Pro Bowl potential. Likewise, he believes the Giants have four “high level” linebackers in Micah McFadden, Arvell Reese, Tremaine Edmunds, and Jack Kelly, to go with their three starting outside linebackers in Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Abdul Carter.
The tenor of the evening, and the feeling among the Giants as their offseason ramps up was probably best summed up by Brian Burns.
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“First game, prime time. Man y’all be tuned, man, it’s gonna be a scary sight.”
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