The calendar just flipped to 2026, and Joe Schoen's phone is already ringing off the hook. After a disappointing 7-10 season that saw the Giants finish last in the NFC East, missing the playoffs for the third straight year, there's a lot of work to do. Daniel Jones, coming off a season where he threw for just 2,800 yards and 15 touchdowns before a late-season ankle sprain sidelined him, is still under contract. But the real questions begin with the guys who aren't.
Saquon Barkley, of course, signed a three-year, $39 million deal with the Eagles last spring. That stung. Now, the Giants are staring down another wave of key players hitting the open market. The big one everyone's watching is Dexter Lawrence. The All-Pro defensive tackle, who anchored a defense that allowed only 110 rushing yards per game in 2025, is due a monster payday. Sources close to the team suggest Schoen has been negotiating with Lawrence's agent since late November, but no agreement is imminent. Losing Lawrence would be a catastrophic blow, leaving a gaping hole in the middle of their defensive line. Leonard Williams' departure in 2023 already hurt; losing another Pro Bowl interior lineman would set the defense back years.
The offensive line remains a persistent headache. Evan Neal, the 7th overall pick in 2022, continued to struggle at right tackle, surrendering 9 sacks in 2025. His fifth-year option almost certainly won't be picked up. Left guard Justin Pugh, who returned on a one-year deal, is also a free agent. The Giants need to address both tackle spots and at least one interior position. They spent a second-round pick on an offensive lineman last year, but that's not enough. Look, you can't evaluate Daniel Jones properly if he's running for his life every other snap. The priority has to be protecting the quarterback, whoever that ends up being in 2026 and beyond.
On the defensive side, outside linebacker Azeez O'Julari is also without a contract. After a promising rookie year with 8 sacks, O'Julari has battled injuries and inconsistency, recording just 4 sacks in 2025. While his speed off the edge is undeniable, his durability is a major concern. The Giants have some young talent there, including last year's third-round pick, but losing O'Julari would mean relying heavily on unproven players. Cornerback Adoree' Jackson, who signed a one-year, $8 million deal last offseason, is also a free agent. He played well in 2025, grabbing 3 interceptions and breaking up 10 passes, but he's on the wrong side of 30.
The Giants currently have roughly $35 million in projected cap space, according to OverTheCap. That's not a lot when you're trying to re-sign a foundational player like Lawrence and fill multiple holes. Schoen has to decide if he's going all-in on a few big names or spreading the money around to acquire more depth. My hot take? Schoen makes a surprising move and lets Lawrence walk, opting instead to invest heavily in two starting offensive linemen and a top-tier edge rusher. It’s a gamble, but they can't keep patching holes with band-aids. They need to build a stable foundation.
They also need to consider the future at quarterback. Jones' contract makes him difficult to move, but if they draft a quarterback high in April, the clock starts ticking on his time in New York. The 2026 offseason is a pivotal one for the franchise, arguably more so than last year. Schoen has proven he can find diamonds in the rough, but this year requires more than just good scouting. It requires bold strategic decisions. I predict the Giants will sign veteran offensive tackle Trent Brown to a two-year deal and draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.