Bryan Hudson didn’t get his first NFL start because the Giants were looking to make a statement. He got it because John Michael Schmitz missed practice while his family welcomed a baby. That absence was completely understandable, and it shouldn’t be twisted into criticism of Schmitz.
But the start itself is a different matter. Hudson had his chance, and the Giants now have a real decision to make instead of just sliding the familiar starter back in by default. Schmitz should have to win the job back, not reclaim it because it’s his.
John Harbaugh hasn’t made this sound like a permanent switch. In the team’s Week 5 updates, he said Schmitz’s missed practice time and Hudson’s preparation made Sunday’s move make sense. Harbaugh called it “not a long-term thing” and said he likes both centers.
That’s not the same as closing the book on the competition. Hudson was a full participant Wednesday and Thursday despite an ankle listing, so there’s nothing in the latest practice report to suggest an injury is forcing the issue either way. The Giants still have to sort out who starts before Sunday’s trip to Washington.
Hudson’s first start at least gave the coaches something concrete to study. In his film review, analyst Gene Clemons said Hudson allowed no pressure under his protection assignments against Arizona. Clemons also praised Hudson for getting to the second level in the running game.
That’s the kind of performance that earns a longer look. A center who can keep the pocket clean and climb to linebackers gives the staff real information, not just the vague idea that a backup looked fine in a win.
But the review wasn’t a clean sweep. Clemons also pointed to Hudson’s weakness in one-on-one run blocking against bigger defenders.
That matters at center, even when the pass protection holds up. The Giants have to judge the full picture, not hand him the job because one part of the tape looked strong.
So the next test should be straightforward: protection calls, movement across the line and isolated run blocks. Hudson shouldn’t get a softer standard because he’s new. Schmitz shouldn’t get a friendlier one because he’s established.
There is still a case for keeping Schmitz in there. Center familiarity matters, especially with protections and the players around him, and changing centers during a game can create problems if timing and communication get messy. The Giants don’t need to force a competition just to say they had one.
The smarter approach is to keep evaluating and let practice and game performance decide it. Hudson has only one career start, which is nowhere near enough to call him the answer for good. It is enough to ask whether he gives this offense a better chance right now.
Schmitz should get every opportunity to prove he deserves the spot. He just shouldn’t be handed it before the Giants finish comparing the two.
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