The Giants have spent the entire offseason making one thing obvious: they still believe in Malik Nabers.
That belief had plenty of chances to crack. Nabers dealt with a long recovery from a knee injury, and then came the viral draft-night comments about Arvell Reese.
A coach could have taken that personally, or at least let it turn into a lingering issue. But John Harbaugh didn’t go there.
Instead, Harbaugh handled it the way he’s handled so many tense moments over nearly two decades in Baltimore: calmly, firmly, and without letting the noise take over. The result is that what could have become a real distraction never had a chance to grow legs.
Nabers drew attention in April when he publicly questioned the Giants’ decision to take Reese at No. 5.
He was on a Bleacher Report live stream with Micah Parsons and didn’t realize the Giants planned to move Reese to linebacker instead of keeping him at edge rusher. That mattered, but not nearly as much as the way Harbaugh responded afterward.
He said he and Nabers had a “great conversation” and moved on, earning praise along the way, including from ESPN’s Peter Schrager. Within days, the whole thing had faded.
The same steady approach showed up during Nabers’ rehab. Neither Harbaugh nor Joe Schoen ever sounded annoyed or doubtful about how he was attacking the recovery process.
The message from the top stayed consistent: full confidence. Nabers eventually came out of the red no-contact jersey in August, and he’s expected to be a full go against the Cowboys on Sunday night with no sign of a snap count.
That kind of handling fits the reason the Giants moved on from Brian Daboll last November. They knew they needed a head coach with real experience - someone who could keep players accountable without going too soft or too hard.
Bill Belichick kept getting mentioned because he checked part of that box. Harbaugh, though, has shown he can do the whole job.
A lesser coach might have called Nabers out publicly or suggested he wasn’t doing enough to get ready for Week 1. Harbaugh did the opposite. He backed his receiver, reinforced the trust, and kept the focus where it belonged.
Now the Giants are close to finding out what Harbaugh, Nabers and Jaxson Dart can do together. As a wise man once (sort of) said: get your overpriced, greasy popcorn ready.
In Other News...
Giants New Pecking Order Is Already Turning Into A Real Camp Story
A fresh training camp approach has already started to show up on the Giants roster, with John Harbaugh and his staff giving opportunities to both familiar faces and players with no prior connection to him. The result is a group being judged less by old ties and more by how they fit what the coaches want, which is exactly the kind of reset that can change the tone of camp before the first full pads practice even settles in.
That shift has kept several key names in the mix, including Kayvon Thibodeaux and Deonte Banks, while also bringing in a few notable changes around the edges of the roster. Veteran lineman Daniel Faalele was dealt away, Najee Harris joined the backfield picture, and the bigger question now is how much this new pecking order will keep evolving once the competition really starts to sharpen. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Week 1 Depth Chart Just Raised Big Questions Before Cowboys
The Giants unofficial Week 1 depth chart offered an early look at how Brian Dabolls staff plans to line up against the Cowboys, and it came with a few notable wrinkles. Deonte Banks is now listed as a starting cornerback next to Greg Newsome II after moving up the chart, while Chauncey Golston is shown as the starting defensive end with Darius Alexander behind him. Cam Skattebo also appears as the starting running back, with several others stacked behind him, giving the backfield a layered look heading into the opener.
One of the more interesting details is what the Giants left off the chart altogether: there is no primary slot receiver listed, a sign they may rotate multiple players through that role. Depth charts this early can still shift before kickoff, but they can also hint at how a coaching staff sees its personnel after camp and the preseason. For a Giants team trying to settle key spots before facing Dallas, the chart raised as many questions as it answered. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Just Answered A Growing Concern On Their Defensive Line
The Giants added some needed experience up front by signing veteran defensive tackle Dean Lowry, a 32-year-old who has spent time with both the Packers and Steelers. He is expected to begin on the practice squad, but the move gives New York another seasoned body in a defensive line group that has been looking for more reliable depth and a steadier presence around the younger tackles.
Lowrys appeal is as much about what he can bring off the field as what he can do on it. The Giants view him as a versatile piece who can help against the run and offer the kind of leadership that can speed up the development of younger players, and in a room that has been under scrutiny, that sort of addition can matter as the season wears on. [Read more 🡒]