The New York Giants are in a spot where caution can feel overrated.
At 4-2-1 and sitting atop the NFC East, they’ve put themselves in position to matter in January. That alone should change the way they’re thinking with the Nov.
10 NFL trade deadline closing in. This isn’t the time to act like the future is the only thing that counts.
The future is never promised in this league.
That’s where Mikal Bridges comes in, oddly enough.
The Knicks forward helped deliver a championship last season, and that changed the way everyone looked at the massive price New York paid to get him. Back in July 2024, the Knicks dealt four unprotected first-round picks and a top-four-protected 2025 first-rounder to the Brooklyn Nets for the then-28-year-old.
At the time, it looked like a wild overpay for a player who wasn’t viewed as a star. When the Knicks didn’t win it all in his first season, the criticism hit hard.
Then 2025-26 happened. The championship arrived, and suddenly the whole thing looked a lot different.
During a livestream after the celebrations, Bridges, maybe with a few drinks in him, delivered the line that now fits this moment perfectly: "f--- them picks."
That’s the attitude the Giants should be borrowing right now.
There’s always a crowd ready to preach patience, to insist a team should wait until next year before making a move. But the Giants have already shown enough to make this season feel real, and there’s no guarantee they’ll be in this position again. They haven’t won the division since 2011, so the idea of treating this as a throwaway year doesn’t make much sense.
The roster also doesn’t look that far off. A defensive line upgrade, a running back, and probably some help on the offensive line could make this team dangerous.
And while J.J. McCarthy under center may not be the cleanest setup, through five quarters he has looked like the first-round talent he was drafted to be.
That’s why Joe Schoen and John Harbaugh shouldn’t be shy about swinging for bigger names like Vita Vea, Jonathan Taylor, Tuli Tuipulotu, or even Brian Thomas Jr. The alternative is settling for the cheaper options in Dalvin Tomlinson, Tony Pollard, Josh Uche, or Calvin Ridley.
Going all-in always carries risk. But if the Giants really want to take advantage of this surprise opening, they may need to stop acting like every draft pick is sacred.
In Other News...
Isaiah Likely Has A Big Eagles Opportunity While Giants Weigh A Change
Isaiah Likelys quiet showing in J.J. McCarthys first start for the Giants was a reminder that even in a new-look offense, opportunities can come and go quickly. He caught two of four targets for 12 yards and did not score, a modest line for a player who has been part of the passing-game conversation as the Giants try to settle in around their young quarterback.
The next matchup offers a chance to change that. New York is favored against the Eagles, and Philadelphia has had trouble handling slot receivers, which could open a useful lane for Likely to get more involved. Still, there is another layer to the picture as the Giants continue exploring trade options for Jonathan Taylor, a move that could shift the offensive balance and leave Likely fighting to keep his place in the mix. [Read more 🡒]
J.J. McCarthy Is Giving Giants Fans A Reason To Believe Again
J.J. McCarthys arrival in New York has already changed the tone around the quarterback room, and not just because the Giants needed a spark. After being drafted 10th overall by Minnesota in 2024 and then struggling to establish himself there, McCarthy landed with the Giants in September and quickly found a more favorable setting. When he was pressed into action in Week 6, he looked far more comfortable than anyone probably expected, enough to put himself in line for a bigger opportunity almost immediately.
The Giants have seen enough growth in his passing game to make him the starter for Week 7, a notable turn for a player who seemed stuck in neutral not long ago. McCarthys early work with the coaching staff has given the team a reason to think there may be something to build on here, even if the larger question of how permanent this fit can be is still very much open. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Are Suddenly Linked To A Pricey Fix For Two Roster Holes
With Week 9 against the Eagles looming, the Giants are trying to sort through a battered roster while key injuries continue to shape the conversation around the team. Jaxson Dart and Brian Burns are among the players dealing with issues, and that has only sharpened the focus on where New York might need help most if it wants to stay afloat in the second half of the season.
One of the louder ideas floating around is a potential swing at veteran linebacker Khalil Mack, a move that would aim to address more than one hole at once. The Chargers are sitting in a difficult spot and are expected to explore their options, which is why Mack has surfaced as a possible target, but for now it remains only speculation with no official deal in place. [Read more 🡒]