The air in East Rutherford feels different this time of year. It’s that thick, humid Jersey heat that sticks to your skin at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center, but there’s a weird tension under the surface. If you’ve been following the preseason football NY Giants cycle for a while, you know the drill. We get hyped about a few highlight-reel catches in non-contact drills, argue about the backup offensive guard, and then hold our breath until Week 1.
But 2025 isn't just another year. The 3–14 disaster of 2024 is still a fresh wound.
People look at the preseason and see "meaningless" games. They see vanilla schemes and guys who will be selling insurance in three weeks. They’re wrong. For the Giants right now, these August reps are a frantic, high-stakes attempt to fix a foundation that basically crumbled last winter. Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll aren't just looking for depth; they are fighting for their professional lives.
The Quarterback Room is a Total Fever Dream
Let’s be honest: the Daniel Jones era ended with a whimper, not a bang. Now, the preseason football NY Giants narrative is dominated by a room that feels like a "who’s who" of NFL redemption arcs.
You’ve got Russell Wilson, the 10-time Pro Bowler, trying to prove he isn't "washed." Then there's Jameis Winston, who is essentially the human embodiment of a "YOLO" throw. And then, the actual future: Jaxson Dart.
Trading back into the first round for Dart at No. 25 was a massive statement. During the preseason opener against Buffalo, you could see why. The kid has a live arm. He doesn't just throw the ball; he rips it. But he’s also a rookie. He’s still learning that you can’t out-athlete an NFL safety like you did in the SEC.
Watching Russell Wilson connect on those deep moonballs to Malik Nabers during camp was fun. It really was. Wilson still has that touch. But the real story of this preseason is how quickly Dart can "download" Daboll's system. If Wilson struggles early in the regular season, the "Start Dart" chants at MetLife will be deafening.
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That Pass Rush Might Actually Be Terrifying
If you're looking for a reason to be genuinely optimistic, look at the defensive front.
Abdul Carter. The No. 3 overall pick.
Most people expected a playmaker, but Carter has looked like a glitch in the Matrix during these preseason football NY Giants matchups. Pairing him with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux is borderline unfair. During the joint practices with the Jets, that trio was living in the backfield.
"Carter’s addition gives the Giants their best pressure pack since the NASCAR units drove New York to two Super Bowl titles in the Eli Manning era." — NFL.com Training Camp Preview
It’s not just about the sacks. It's about the math. If you have to double-team Dexter Lawrence in the middle—and you have to—who are you leaving 1-on-1 on the edge? You can't block all of them. The preseason has shown us a defense that finally has its identity back. They’re aggressive, they’re fast, and they’re honestly a bit mean.
The Malik Nabers Effect is Real
We need to talk about Malik Nabers.
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The guy is a superstar. Period.
Last year, he hauled in 109 catches despite playing in a broken offense. This preseason, he’s somehow looked even better. He’s playing with a level of confidence that is contagious. In the preseason win against the Jets, he caught a slant, made two guys miss, and turned a 6-yard gain into a 25-yard sprint.
The "Nabers vs. Everyone" mindset is exactly what this locker room needed. He doesn't care who is throwing him the ball. He just wants to destroy the guy across from him. It’s been a long time since the Giants had a "true" No. 1 receiver who demands a double-team on every single snap.
Is the Offensive Line Actually... Good?
It feels illegal to say that out loud. Giants fans have been burned so many times by "improved" offensive lines that ended up being human turnstiles.
But the numbers from this preseason football NY Giants stretch don't lie. According to PFF, the Giants’ pass-blocking efficiency has skyrocketed. Bringing in Carmen Bricillo as the O-line coach was a masterstroke.
Andrew Thomas is still the anchor, but the emergence of rookie Marcus Mbow has been a massive surprise. A fifth-rounder playing with that kind of footwork? That doesn't happen often. He still needs to get stronger—he got bullied a few times by power rushers in the New England game—but the raw tools are there.
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- Keep Andrew Thomas Healthy: This is the only way the season works.
- Sort the Interior: Evan Neal moving to guard is an ongoing experiment.
- Establish the Run: Without Saquon, the line has to create lanes for Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Cam Skattebo.
What Most People Are Missing
The hardest part about the preseason football NY Giants experience is the schedule.
New York has one of the toughest starts in the league. They face Washington, Dallas, Kansas City, and the Chargers right out of the gate. If they aren't clicking by the time they hit New Orleans in Week 5, it could be over before it starts.
That’s why these preseason games mattered so much more this year. They weren't just "warm-ups." They were a desperate attempt to build chemistry in a revamped secondary. Watching Tyler Nubin and Dru Phillips get their feet wet has been encouraging. Nubin is a tackling machine, and Phillips is showing he can handle the slot, which is a brutal job in today’s NFL.
Why This Matters for You
If you’re a fan or a bettor, don't just look at the final scores of these preseason games. Look at the "ones." Look at how the starting offensive line handles a blitz. Look at whether Jaxson Dart is making his second and third reads or just tucking the ball and running.
The Giants are transitioning from a team that was just trying to survive to a team that is trying to build a sustainable winner. It’s messy. It’s frustrating. But for the first time in a while, it feels like there’s an actual plan.
How to Track Big Blue This Month
To really understand where this team is headed, you have to watch the tape.
- Watch the Footwork: Keep an eye on Evan Neal at guard. His transition is the "X-factor" for the entire offense.
- Identify the "Daboll Spark": Does the offense look creative, or is it still the same predictable stuff from last year?
- Follow the Rookies: Abdul Carter and Malik Nabers are the headlines, but the success of this team depends on the "boring" picks like Darius Alexander and Marcus Mbow.
The preseason football NY Giants cycle is almost over. The rosters will be trimmed, the lights will get brighter, and the excuses will disappear. Whether it's Russell Wilson or Jaxson Dart under center, the expectations remain the same: don't let 2024 happen again.
Next Steps for Fans: Keep a close eye on the final roster cuts this week, specifically at wide receiver and corner. The Giants are likely to be active on the waiver wire to bolster their depth before the trip to Washington. Pay attention to any late-summer trades involving the quarterback room; with four viable arms on the roster, Joe Schoen might look to flip a veteran for future draft capital if the right offer surfaces.