The Giants have no reason to start acting reckless at the trade deadline, but they do have reason to keep one eye on the Chargers.
That sounds strange only if you forgot how far the Giants’ outlook has shifted. A season that once looked buried after Jaxson Dart’s season-ending injury has turned into something much different, with John Harbaugh’s team sitting alone atop the NFC East nearly halfway through the year.
J.J. McCarthy’s first start brought a real jolt, and now New York can at least think about shoring up weak spots if the right player becomes available.
The Chargers may provide exactly that kind of opportunity. They are the NFL’s only remaining winless team, which makes them a logical seller if a deadline fire sale takes hold. And if that happens, there are four players the Giants should already have circled.
Khalil Mack is the cleanest fit. New York’s edge group has been squeezed without Brian Burns, and while Abdul Carter has continued to grow this season, Kayvon Thibodeaux still hasn’t looked like the answer on the other side.
He has been mostly quiet, and he could even be moved if the right offer comes along. Mack would give Dennard Wilson’s defense something it badly needs: a more reliable presence against the run and a much better answer for setting the edge.
If the price stays around a fourth-round pick, Joe Schoen should be on the phone.
Quentin Johnston would also make sense as a way to widen the passing game. Darnell Mooney hasn’t been useful unless the offense is manufacturing touches for him, and that’s not a great place to be.
Outside of Malik Nabers and Malachi Fields, the Giants are thin at receiver. Johnston wouldn’t change the whole offense by himself, but he would add another explosive option who works after the catch and can handle quick hitters and crossers.
That kind of addition would give New York a more complete passing attack without asking for much in return.
On the back end, Donte Jackson fits the kind of depth move contenders make when they know the room is too thin. Even after bringing in Greg Newsome II and Colton Hood this offseason, the Giants are still alarmingly short at corner.
Newsome II and Paulson Adebo have both missed time, and Hood hasn’t been trusted with defensive snaps lately. Jackson, who is 30 and on an expiring deal, looks like the sort of veteran who could be had for a seventh-round pick and immediately help steady the rotation.
Then there’s Daiyan Henley, who could become the long-term answer at linebacker if the Giants are willing to pay for it. Losing Tremaine Edmunds to a chest injury for the season left a hole, and Micah McFadden did a solid job filling in against the Houston Texans.
Still, another capable linebacker would help. Henley has taken a step back this season, but his ceiling is still high enough to matter.
He’s on the final year of his rookie contract, so any deal would have to come with an extension. If New York is ready to commit, Henley could stabilize that group for years.
In Other News...
Giants Get A Rookie Bright Spot As Bigger Concerns Keep Building
Among the few encouraging notes in the Giants recent wave of outside evaluations, rookie linebacker Arvell Reese has stood out as a genuine bright spot. The early reviews have been strong enough to put him in the conversation with the leagues better first-year players, which is no small thing for a team still trying to sort through a season full of uneven performances and broader questions about where the roster is headed.
The problem for New York is that the praise for Reese has come alongside a lot of noise about bigger issues elsewhere, especially on defense, where consistency has been hard to find. There has also been renewed discussion around J.J. McCarthys long-term outlook, adding another layer to the uncertainty around the Giants future as the team continues to draw mixed assessments from around the league. [Read more 🡒]
Jameis Winston Sent A Strong Message After Giants Benched Him
Jameis Winston is back in a backup role for the Giants after losing the starting quarterback job to J.J. McCarthy, who made his first start on Oct. 25. The move came as New York continues to sort through its quarterback depth chart, with Jaxson Dart still working his way back from injury and the team trying to settle on the right mix under center.
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said Winston and McCarthy have been working together on third-down situations since the change, a sign the Giants are trying to keep both quarterbacks engaged while the new starter settles in. McCarthys debut gave the team a needed boost, and Winstons response has been to stay involved and ready, even as the pecking order has shifted around him. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Trade Deadline Backfield Plan Is Starting To Take Shape
The Giants are already being linked to a possible backfield upgrade ahead of the 2026 trade deadline, and the conversation is starting to narrow around a familiar type of move: adding a veteran runner who can help stabilize the offense. The team has also been mentioned as a potential buyer for help along the defensive front, but the running back market is the more intriguing lane because it would directly address a need that can swing a season in a hurry.
One name that keeps coming up is Tony Pollard, whose profile makes him an interesting alternative if New York decides Jonathan Taylor is too steep a target. Pollard has a track record of production, and his contract situation could make him more attainable than a true premium rental, though any deal would still depend on what kind of return the Giants are willing to send and how Tennessee views its own roster balance going forward. [Read more 🡒]