Giants Offseason Notebook: Nagy’s Fit with Dart, Front Office Moves, and Key Free Agency Decisions
The New York Giants are wasting no time reshaping their identity under new head coach John Harbaugh, and the pieces are starting to fall into place - both on the field and in the front office. Let’s break down the latest developments from East Rutherford and around the league that could shape Big Blue’s future.
Matt Nagy Brings Familiar Flavor to Giants’ Offense - But Will It Click with Dart?
The Giants’ new offensive coordinator, Matt Nagy, is a known quantity in NFL circles. He brings a system rooted in Andy Reid’s West Coast principles with a heavy dose of shotgun, RPOs, and quarterback mobility - all things that could play to the strengths of second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Nagy’s past offenses leaned heavily on the shotgun - during his time with the Bears, quarterbacks lined up in the gun 71.4% of the time, one of the highest rates in the league. Dart, for his part, was in shotgun on nearly 80% of his snaps last season, which puts him right in line with the league’s top mobile quarterbacks. The fit, at least schematically, makes sense.
Add in the fact that Nagy and former Giants OC Mike Kafka share roots in Kansas City - both worked under Reid in 2017 - and you start to see the connective tissue. Dart’s rookie-year offense was a hybrid of Kafka’s KC influences and Brian Daboll’s system. Now, with Nagy calling plays, the transition could be smoother than most second-year QBs experience.
Expect the Giants’ offense to lean into Dart’s dual-threat ability. In 2018, Mitch Trubisky ran for 421 yards under Nagy - fifth among quarterbacks that year.
Dart topped that last season with 487 rushing yards, third among QBs. The RPOs, designed QB runs, and off-script playmaking that made Dart dangerous as a rookie aren’t going anywhere.
Chris Simms is on board with the pairing. “Jaxson Dart has that playmaking, backyard football ability and I think Matt Nagy is going to enhance that,” Simms said. “He’s going to give the Giants some structure and some rules, but he’s not going to wipe away Dart’s natural, God-given ability.”
That’s the hope. But not everyone’s convinced.
ESPN’s Marcus Spears raised a valid concern: Nagy’s track record with young quarterbacks hasn’t inspired much confidence. “The last time you had two young quarterbacks, they didn’t perform well,” Spears said.
“Now Jaxson Dart is going into his second year under his tutelage. It doesn’t give me a lot of confidence.”
So which version of Nagy will the Giants get? The creative mind who helped Alex Smith to a career year and helped Mahomes launch?
Or the one who struggled to develop Trubisky and Fields in Chicago? That’s the million-dollar question - and it might define the Giants’ season.
Front Office Adds Experienced Voice in Dawn Aponte
The Giants made a significant hire off the field as well, bringing in longtime NFL executive Dawn Aponte to a key front office role. Aponte, who’s held senior positions with the league office and multiple franchises, is known for her salary cap expertise and organizational leadership.
It’s a savvy move for a team that’s about to navigate a crucial offseason - one that includes decisions on key free agents, a new coaching staff, and a roster still in transition. Aponte’s presence adds stability and experience to the front office, especially as the Giants aim to build sustainable success under Harbaugh.
Charlie Bullen Draws Interest Elsewhere
Defensive assistant Charlie Bullen is reportedly on the radar of the Arizona Cardinals, who’ve requested to interview him for their defensive coordinator position. Bullen’s impact on the Giants’ defensive front hasn’t gone unnoticed around the league, and his departure would be a notable loss for a staff still taking shape.
Free Agency Watch: Will Jermaine Eluemunor Return?
One of the more underrated decisions facing the Giants this offseason is whether to re-sign offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor. He’s not a Pro Bowler, but he’s a steady presence - a veteran you can plug in and not worry about.
The question, as always, is money.
Eluemunor isn’t expected to command top-tier tackle money - nowhere near the $23.5 million per year that Andrew Thomas is making. One front office exec pegged his value slightly above his last deal, around $10 million annually. A high-profile agent projected it closer to $7 million.
At either number, the Giants have to weigh the cost against the value of continuity and depth on the offensive line. With a young quarterback still developing, protecting Dart has to be a priority - and bringing back a reliable tackle like Eluemunor could be part of that equation.
Looking Ahead: 2026 Draft Scouting and Free Agency Landscape
The Giants are already deep into scouting mode for the 2026 NFL Draft, with early evaluations on players like South Carolina’s Jalon Kilgore - a hybrid DB/LB who could fit nicely in a modern, versatile defense.
Meanwhile, around the league, the free agency market is beginning to take shape. One name to watch: Tyler Linderbaum.
The Ravens center is projected to land a massive deal - possibly four years, $70+ million - and could reset the market at his position. For teams in need of interior line help, he’ll be at the top of the list.
Around the NFL: Coaching Carousel and QB Questions
- Frank Reich is set to take over as offensive coordinator for the Jets, bringing veteran leadership to a young offense.
- Joe Whitt Jr., formerly of the Commanders, has been hired as the Steelers’ new defensive coordinator.
- In Atlanta, Matt Ryan (now team president) isn’t committing to Michael Penix Jr. as the starter when healthy - a storyline to watch as the Falcons enter a pivotal offseason.
- And in Dallas, Dak Prescott continues to carry the weight of postseason expectations.
“The Super Bowl monkey on the back gets bigger every year,” he said. That pressure isn’t going anywhere.
Final Thought: The Road Back Starts Now
The Giants haven’t sniffed serious Super Bowl contention in over a decade. But with Harbaugh at the helm, a promising young quarterback, and a front office starting to take shape, the foundation is being laid.
This offseason is about more than just plugging holes. It’s about building a sustainable identity - one that can compete deep into January.
The pieces are coming together. Now it’s about execution.