Another week brought another new low for the New York Giants. Not that surprising considering that this is a team that, since their victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, has struggled mightily to find success. They have only managed to accrue three winning seasons in their last 14, in 2012, 2016 and 2022, to go along with two playoff appearances and no division titles. As of 2024, the Giants currently hold the longest active division title drought in the NFC, with a total of 13 seasons ranging from mediocre to awful, and they are currently well-positioned to extend that streak to 14 seasons.
There was some hope going into this season. The Giants drafted well, bringing in Pennsylvania State University EDGE rusher Abdul Carter, University of Mississippi quarterback (QB) Jaxson Dart and Arizona State University running back Cam Skattebo among other talented pieces. They also brought in veteran QBs in Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson and human roller coaster Jameis Winston. But as the season went on it quickly became clear that whatever made Wilson a high-caliber QB was gone. After just three starts and an 0-3 record, Wilson was benched in favor of the rookie, Dart.
The Dart era started off with a bang as he led the team to an upset win over the Los Angeles Chargers, 21-18. But the joy that should have followed that win was dampened by the season-ending injury to star wide receiver Malik Nabers. This injury would be just the beginning for the relationship between the Giants and the injury bug. Following the loss of Nabers, the Giants would lose to the New Orleans Saints the following week.
With the loss to the Saints looming, the Giants had a short turn-around before facing the Philadelphia Eagles at home at MetLife Stadium. The Giants shocked the reigning Super Bowl champion with a dominant victory 34-17. They were led by Skattebo, who had a breakout game, rushing for 98 yards and three touchdowns. Fans immediately took to the rookie duo of Dart and Skattebo and believed they would be key pieces in the rebuilding process.
If only the highs could last. In their next game they faced off against the Denver Broncos and brought their A game. With a 19-0 lead going into the fourth quarter ESPN had them at a 92.5% win probability. What followed was the Broncos completing a historic comeback, erasing their 19-point deficit to win 33-32 on a last-second field goal. Their victory set two NFL records: It was the largest fourth-quarter comeback by a team that had been shut out for three quarters, and it marked the first time since the 1970 merger that a team overcame an 18-point deficit with under six minutes left to win in regulation. Because of course.
The next week they faced the Eagles again, looking to sweep them for the first time since 2007, instead they were gashed by Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, who carved up the Giants’ defense on his way to a 150-yard rushing performance, his best mark of the season. Even worse than the loss of the game was the loss of Skattebo who suffered a severe right ankle injury which was quickly ruled as season ending.
After an easy loss to Christian McCaffrey and the San Francisco 49ers, the team headed to Chicago to play the Bears and receive another gut-punch. While up 17-7, the Giants were marching down the field as the third quarter was nearing its end when Dart was injured when he took a hard hit on a scramble that resulted in a fumble. He was later evaluated for a concussion and ruled out for the rest of the game early in the fourth quarter. Wilson was forced back into the game where he was just as ineffective as he had been at the start of the season, allowing the Bears to come back and win 24-20. With Dart set to miss multiple weeks the Giants front office made a big move and sent Head Coach Brian Daboll packing.
Daboll’s career with the Giants started off strong with being named the 2022 NFL Coach of the Year in his first year leading the Giants. He helped them to nine regular-season victories, clinching the team’s first playoff berth in six years and its first postseason victory in 11 seasons. But that was about it. In his three and a half seasons, the Giants compiled a record of 20-40-1, including a 2-8 record in 2025. Daboll’s early results were never repeated and the team often looked to be getting progressively worse under his leadership. I’m honestly surprised that this didn’t come sooner, we can thank Daniel Jones for that, I suppose.
Overall, the Giants are going to be rebuilding once again next season after another poor showing. They do have some solid pieces on offense and defense, but they will need to stay healthy if the Giants want to take a big jump under a new coach next season.
