New York City, New York — The New York Giants enter their 101st season with urgency and expectation. Coming off a 3–14 collapse, head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen face a pivotal year. Both men need results to preserve their future in New York.
The roster is stocked with a mix of proven veterans and a new wave of young talent. Russell Wilson will open the season as starting quarterback, but first-round pick Jaxson Dart has already begun capturing the imagination of fans and analysts alike. On defense, rookie Abdul Carter headlines a rebuilt front seven, while Malik Nabers, fresh off a record-breaking debut season, leads a revamped skill group on offense.
The 2025 Giants have promise. The question: will it arrive in time?
Coaching and Front Office Pressure
Daboll, lauded initially for changing culture, now faces questions about whether his system still fits. Schoen, through three consecutive losing seasons, is approaching a crossroads. The fanbase and ownership demand progress—just a modest six wins could determine whether patience runs out.
Quarterback Picture: Wilson Now, Dart Next
Russell Wilson, signed to a one-year deal, provides the Giants with veteran leadership and stability. The 36-year-old is tasked with managing the offense, avoiding turnovers, and buying the rookie behind him time to learn.
But Jaxson Dart is the future — and his preseason performances have already accelerated the timeline. Completing nearly 70% of his throws with four total touchdowns and no interceptions, Dart flashed poise well beyond a rookie’s typical growing pains. His blend of confidence, playmaking ability, and leadership has turned him into the most intriguing storyline of the Giants’ season.
Dart’s Skill Set Breakdown
- Arm Talent: Dart can attack all levels, firing tight-window throws with confidence. His deep ball has both velocity and touch, a weapon New York hasn’t had in years.
- Mobility: At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Dart isn’t a pure runner but moves well in the pocket and extends plays with his legs. His rushing touchdown in the preseason underscored that he’s capable of keeping defenses honest.
- Decision-Making: Rarely rattled, Dart stayed turnover-free in exhibition play. He processes quickly, stays on schedule, and doesn’t panic under pressure. His next step is learning when to protect himself after a punishing scramble highlighted the risks of his play style.
- Intangibles: His command of the huddle and natural confidence have drawn praise inside and outside the locker room. For a rookie, he plays with the presence of a starter.
The Giants’ plan remains patience: Wilson starts, Dart develops. But if losses pile up in September and October, Dart could become the starter sooner than planned. His skill set already suggests he has the tools to justify that leap.
Offensive Outlook: Skill Players Finally in Place
For years, the Giants lacked depth behind their stars. That’s changed in 2025. The roster boasts its most balanced set of offensive playmakers in recent memory.
Wide Receivers
- Malik Nabers: Star attraction, fresh off 109 receptions and 1,204 yards as a rookie.
- Darius Slayton: Reliable perimeter presence and red-zone target.
- Wan’Dale Robinson: Yards-after-catch weapon from the slot.
- Jalin Hyatt: Vertical speed threat, still rounding out his game.
- Beaux Collins: Rookie free agent with size and physicality.
Tight Ends
- Theo Johnson: Athletic seam-stretcher with breakout potential.
- Daniel Bellinger: Blocking cornerstone and safety-valve option.
- Thomas Fidone II: Rookie developmental pass-catcher.
Running Backs
- Tyrone Tracy Jr.: Dual-threat lead back after more than 1,100 scrimmage yards in 2024.
- Devin Singletary: Veteran complement, especially effective on passing downs.
- Cam Skattebo: Rookie with developmental upside once healthy.
Summary: With Nabers and Tracy Jr. as cornerstones, the Giants finally have balance across the skill positions. The depth at receiver and tight end gives Daboll flexibility, and Dart’s arm strength could unlock Hyatt and Robinson in ways Wilson cannot.
Defensive Preview: Carter and a Rebuilt Front
The defense has been reshaped into what the Giants hope will be a fearsome, throwback-style unit.
Defensive Line & Edge
- Dexter Lawrence: The anchor, one of the NFL’s most dominant interior linemen.
- Brian Burns: A polished, proven pass rusher who consistently wins off the edge.
- Kayvon Thibodeaux: Explosive and ascending, with double-digit sack potential.
- Chauncey Golston: A gritty free-agent addition, particularly effective against the run.
- Roy Robertson-Harris & Darius Alexander: Depth and rotational muscle.
Linebackers / Hybrid Edge
- Abdul Carter: Drafted third overall, Carter arrives primarily as a pass rusher. His lightning-quick first step and ability to bend around blockers make him a natural threat off the edge. But his value lies in versatility. At Penn State, Carter dropped into coverage, spied mobile quarterbacks, and roamed sideline-to-sideline with ease. The Giants plan to move him around the formation — wide on early downs, inside on passing downs, and even disguised in coverage — to create mismatches. Carter is expected to line up next to Burns and Thibodeaux as a movable chess piece, giving the Giants schematic flexibility they haven’t had in years.
Secondary
- Paulson Adebo: Physical corner with ball skills, signed to stabilize the outside.
- Jevon Holland: Dynamic safety with range, leadership, and turnover production.
- Supporting players round out a deeper, more aggressive back end.
Summary: With Lawrence commanding attention inside and Burns, Thibodeaux, and Carter attacking from the outside, the Giants now boast a front capable of overwhelming protection schemes. If the secondary capitalizes on that pressure with turnovers, this defense could swing games and set the team’s tone.
Schedule Snapshot
The Giants face a brutal opening stretch, with early divisional clashes and playoff-caliber opponents. That gauntlet could determine how long Wilson’s leash remains and when Dart gets his chance.
Projections hover between five and six wins. The preseason was undefeated, but history shows such success is symbolic at best. The roster’s youth makes long-term growth the true priority.
Realistic Expectations
- Floor: Five wins, if Wilson falters and Dart isn’t ready.
- Ceiling: Eight wins, if the defense emerges as a top-tier unit and Dart accelerates his development.
- Most Likely: Six to seven wins, showing steady progress and validating the young core.
For Daboll and Schoen, it’s not about promises anymore. Nabers, Tracy Jr., and Carter must solidify themselves as cornerstones. Dart must show the flashes of a franchise quarterback.
Bottom line: The 2025 Giants are a franchise on the edge of transformation. Wilson starts the season, but Dart’s skill set already hints at a takeover. Nabers is a star, Carter has the tools to become one, and the supporting cast is deeper than in recent memory. For Daboll and Schoen, the mandate is simple: turn potential into progress—or risk watching someone else finish the job.
