Giants Notebook: Brian Burns Stands Tall, Jaxson Dart’s Grit, and What’s Next for Big Blue
It’s been a long, frustrating season for the New York Giants - one filled with more questions than answers, more losses than wins, and more growing pains than progress. But even in a year where the scoreboard hasn’t been kind, there are still stories worth paying attention to. Let’s break down where things stand with Big Blue as we head into the final stretch of the 2025 season.
Brian Burns: A Lone Bright Spot Gets His Flowers
When the Pro Bowl rosters were announced, Brian Burns stood alone as the Giants’ only representative. And it’s hard to argue with the selection.
Despite another season buried in the loss column, Burns has quietly put together his best year as a pro. He’s been relentless off the edge, disruptive in the backfield, and a consistent tone-setter for a defense that’s often been left to carry the load.
But don’t mistake his personal success for satisfaction.
“The individual success is cool,” Burns said. “But at the end of the day, you still want to win.”
That quote tells you everything you need to know about his mindset. Burns isn’t wired to accept losing, and the weight of another double-digit loss season clearly hasn’t dulled his edge. If anything, it’s sharpened it.
“It takes a toll on you,” he added. “You’re having success at your job, but you still can’t get the end result.”
The Giants are lucky to have him - not just for the sacks and pressures, but for the accountability and leadership he brings. There’s a foundation piece here, and the challenge will be surrounding him with more players who share that same standard.
Paulson Adebo Shuts Down Tanking Talk
Veteran corner Paulson Adebo, in his first year with the Giants, made it clear this team isn’t mailing it in - no matter what the standings say.
“I just approach every game the same way,” Adebo said. “That’s nothing we really think about.”
That’s important. With two games left and a top draft pick in play, the outside noise about “tanking” is only going to get louder.
But inside the locker room, guys like Adebo are still playing to win - and playing for jobs. That mindset matters, especially for a team trying to build a culture that can eventually win consistently.
Jermaine Eluemunor: Underrated Anchor on the O-Line
One of the underappreciated stories this season has been the play of Jermaine Eluemunor. Outside of Andrew Thomas, he’s been the Giants’ most reliable pass protector among starters with at least 500 pass-blocking snaps.
He hasn’t been perfect - nobody on this offensive line has - but he’s been steady and available, which is more than you can say for many others. Since joining the Giants, he’s missed just three games. And with his contract set to expire, the front office has a decision to make.
There’s also Marcus Mbow, this year’s draft pick, who could be groomed to take over at right tackle. But there’s a scenario where both Eluemunor and Mbow are in the starting lineup next year - with Mbow potentially sliding to right guard to replace Greg Van Roten.
That would give the Giants a young, athletic right side with a veteran to lean on. Spotrac projects Eluemunor for a two-year, $17.8 million deal - a fair price for a stabilizing presence up front.
Jaxson Dart: Rookie Grit Amid Growing Pains
Let’s talk about the quarterback.
Jaxson Dart’s rookie campaign has been a rollercoaster. After a promising start, he’s hit some turbulence - most notably in Sunday’s game, where he managed just 33 passing yards.
That’s not what you want to see from your franchise quarterback. But context matters.
Dart has battled through a concussion and is still adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL. Despite the recent struggles, the Giants haven’t lost faith in him. Interim head coach Mike Kafka continues to back his young QB, and Dart’s numbers - 20 total touchdowns, seven turnovers, and over 400 rushing yards in 10 starts - show flashes of real potential.
Several pending free agents have even cited Dart’s presence as a reason they’d consider returning. That says something about the respect he’s earned in the locker room.
The next two games will be critical. Not just for evaluation, but for protecting his confidence and development.
The Giants can’t afford to mishandle this - Dart’s trajectory could define the next five years of this franchise.
The Draft Looms: A Trade with the Jets?
With the No. 1 pick potentially in their hands, the Giants are sitting on a golden opportunity - and maybe a tough decision.
The Jets, loaded with draft capital after their midseason sell-off, are in position to make a serious offer. They’ve got eight picks in the first two rounds over the next two years - including five first-rounders. If they want to move up for a quarterback, they have the ammunition to do it.
For the Giants, who have holes across the roster, trading down could be the smart play. They’re building around Dart, and if they believe he’s the guy, flipping the top pick for a haul could accelerate the rebuild. But if there’s any doubt about Dart’s ceiling, the temptation to reset at quarterback will be real.
This is the kind of fork-in-the-road moment that defines front offices. The Giants have to get it right.
This Week’s Opponent: Raiders Bring the Heat
The Giants will face a Raiders team that’s sending multiple stars to the Pro Bowl - including edge rusher Maxx Crosby and tight end Brock Bowers.
Crosby is a game-wrecker. He’s second in the league in tackles for loss and leads the Raiders in sacks (10.0), QB hits (20), and pass deflections (six). He’s relentless, and he’ll be a major test for the Giants’ O-line.
Bowers, meanwhile, is already one of the league’s most dangerous tight ends. He leads the Raiders in receptions (64), receiving yards (680), and touchdowns (seven). He’s closing in on Mike Ditka’s record for most receiving yards by a tight end in his first two seasons - a testament to how polished he already is.
The Raiders also recently added guard Atonio Mafi to their active roster after placing Jordan Meredith on IR. Mafi has bounced around a bit but brings size and experience to the line.
And don’t forget about rookie RB Ashton Jeanty. He hasn’t had a dream season, but his 188-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Texans reminded everyone why he was a top-10 pick. He’s up to 828 yards and 10 total touchdowns despite inconsistent blocking.
Final Thoughts
This season hasn’t gone the way the Giants hoped. But in the middle of the mess, there are signs of life - from Burns’ dominance to Dart’s resilience, from Adebo’s leadership to Eluemunor’s consistency.
The next two weeks won’t change the record, but they could shape the future. Whether it’s Dart’s development, decisions about the draft, or who stays and who goes, the Giants are entering a critical stretch.
There’s a lot to fix in East Rutherford. But there’s also a path forward - if they’re bold enough to take it.