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This is John Harbaugh's show, and no one within the New York Giants harbors any delusions to the contrary. His vision and philosophy will shape this team, and that has already begun.
What the roster will look like should reflect what Harbaugh believes will get the Giants to where they need to be on game days this season, and every move
It's not a dictatorship by any stretch, at least not to the extent the outside public wants you to think. Everybody has a role in turning this franchise into a winner again, and yes, that includes general manager Joe Schoen, senior vice president of football operations and strategy Dawn Aponte, along with the rest of Harbaugh's coaching staff and the executives in the personnel and scouting departments.
"I watch tons of guys on tape, and I'll have my opinions - and then we'll work it out," Harbaugh said last week at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. "And the two biggest opinions are gonna be the GM and the head coach. Those are gonna be the two that matter the most. Those are your decision makers."
The league's negotiating period for free agents begins Monday at 12 p.m. and runs until the start of free agency on Wednesday at 4 p.m. There will be reports, speculation and rumors regarding what the Giants will do, and we'll keep track of everything for you.
Keep checking back for updates right here, your one-stop for the latest Giants news throughout the phases of free agency:
I get the "Giants need a wide receiver" argument and agree with that sentiment. But take a look at the WR rooms John Harbaugh has had in Baltimore, look at the presence of what Isaiah Likely is with NYG right now and realize your head coach might count playmakers, not WRs.
And remember Malik Nabers? Yeah, he's back and hopefully at 100 percent before too long.
Does that mean the Giants should not explore options at the position? Of course not. That could come in the NFL Draft, where Carnell Tate should be in the mix at No. 5, or another WR on Day 2.
Romeo Doubs was a favorite target of mine going into free agency, but he signed for bigger-than-expected money in New England. Someone on social media mentioned the 49ers' Jauan Jennings, and I do think he'd be a fit. Price point will have a lot to do with whether he is.
Meanwhile, ESPN's Adam Schefter shot down speculation that the Jaguars were considering trading WR Brian Thomas Jr., a potential Giants target given his relationship with Nabers, his good friend and former LSU teammate.
John Harbaugh has added his first weapon to the offense for Jaxson Dart and it's a familiar face.
Tight end Isaiah Likely has agreed to terms with the Giants and his former head coach from the Baltimore Ravens on a three-year deal worth $40 million worth up to $47.5 million, a source confirmed to NorthJersey.com and The Record.
The Giants were interested in Kenneth Walker III, but the reigning Super Bowl MVP is headed to Chiefs Kingdom, according to his social media post and multiple reports. Now the question becomes where John Harbaugh's interest in adding a running back to the backfield takes Big Blue.
The Giants have interest in guards Wyatt Teller and Alijah Vera Tucker, among others. Is there a world where they get both and move on from Jon Runyan in part for the cap savings ($9 million)? Might be something they explore.
I know knee-jerk reaction is to find an upgrade to Greg Van Roten at RG because of his age (36). But remarkable durability counts for something - he played every snap for Giants for two years. That's value, too.
So building off this: yes, I think the Giants will look to sign a new starting guard, maybe two as suggested earlier. But I wouldn't just assume GVR takes on a role as a backup, and I have made that assumption at times. When we talk AVT talent, must also talk availability. He is coming off a triceps injury that cost him last season.
Chris Manhertz has agreed to return to the Giants on a one-year deal, according to ESPN. The veteran tight end will enter his 11th NFL season at age 34. What that means for the Giants' potential pursuit of any other tight ends in free agency - the Ravens' Charlie Kolar and the Titans' Chig Okonkwo have been mentioned among others - remains to be seen.
That includes the Giants' Daniel Bellinger, who is also a free agent.
We should expect a few signings from the Giants of their own free agents prior to the 12 p.m. kickoff of the market. It's at that time when all teams can contact all free agents.
This one was inevitable: left tackle James Hudson was officially released Friday, and the move creates $5.4 million in salary cap space with $2.3M in dead money left behind from guarantees already paid out.
Hudson was signed to be the swing tackle this offseason and he struggled in the first two weeks of the season as the Giants tried to survive without star left tackle Andrew Thomas, who was coming back from foot surgery. Everything fell apart for the veteran Hudson on the opening drive of the Giants' Week 2 game in Dallas when he was flagged for four penalties on the same series, and was benched for rookie Marcus Mbow.
Running back Devin Singletary has taken a pay cut to stay with the Giants, a source confirmed to NorthJersey.com and The Record. He’s restructured the contract and added incentives for a chance to get some of the money back. Team still gets cap relief. I’m not sure this means anything regarding the Giants’ potential pursuit of a running back in free agency or the draft.
I think it just says Singletary wanted to be here and saw this as his best shot to contribute.
If the Giants have gone through their free agency meetings and identified Kenneth Walker as a player they want, keeping Singletary on a restructure/pay cut is not going to keep that from happening.
Now, if the Giants gave him any guaranteed money in this restructure, then it’s a slightly different conversation. But I don’t expect that to be the case. If he’s on the roster when the regular season begins, his contract will be guaranteed.
The Ravens kept four running backs on their initial 53-man roster in 2025: Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, Rasheen Ali, and a fullback in Patrick Ricard.
Gunner Olszewski had a great final game in the slot for Wan’Dale Robinson and has proven to be a productive returner. He sure seems to be a Harbaugh-type player: gritty, mentally tough and a grinder. I got good stuff from Olszewski in a conversation on box day - a far better name than baggy day for the day after the season - about this being a play-to-play league and having to earn everything he gets.
Looking forward to sharing that in a column at some point. Olszewski has agreed to return to the Giants on a 1-year deal, sources told NorthJersey.com and The Record on Thursday.
The Giants' release of Bobby Okereke was anticipated, and the move cleared $9 million in salary cap space. There are more cuts to be made, and no doubt they are coming. The Okereke departure reinforces the idea that the Giants will be involved in the inside linebacker market.
There were rumors early Wednesday that the Giants were on the verge of pulling off a trade for a player who would replace Okereke, but nothing has materialized, at least not yet.
The Giants are expected to shop in the running back market and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III is believed to be a top target. Whether any other RB is in the mix with Walker remains to be seen, but it seems likely - based on intel gathered from discussions with league sources - that Harbaugh wants to add to a backfield that already features Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy.
As for the Giants' own free agents, right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor is a priority to keep. He could command a salary up to $20 million per year, and the Giants would like to keep him from hitting the market, which means a deal would have to be signed by Monday prior to the start of the negotiating period.
The expectation is that wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson will get a significant offer from elsewhere, quite possibly from Brian Daboll, the head coach who drafted him, now the offensive coordinator in Tennessee.
The market for cornerback Cor'Dale Flott is more uncertain, although league sources at the Combine indicated that he would command a stronger deal than one the Giants are prepared to match. Things can change, of course, but both Robinson and Flott should hit the market.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Giants NFL free agency tracker 2026: News, updates and rumors
Continue reading...
What the roster will look like should reflect what Harbaugh believes will get the Giants to where they need to be on game days this season, and every move
It's not a dictatorship by any stretch, at least not to the extent the outside public wants you to think. Everybody has a role in turning this franchise into a winner again, and yes, that includes general manager Joe Schoen, senior vice president of football operations and strategy Dawn Aponte, along with the rest of Harbaugh's coaching staff and the executives in the personnel and scouting departments.
"I watch tons of guys on tape, and I'll have my opinions - and then we'll work it out," Harbaugh said last week at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. "And the two biggest opinions are gonna be the GM and the head coach. Those are gonna be the two that matter the most. Those are your decision makers."
The league's negotiating period for free agents begins Monday at 12 p.m. and runs until the start of free agency on Wednesday at 4 p.m. There will be reports, speculation and rumors regarding what the Giants will do, and we'll keep track of everything for you.
Keep checking back for updates right here, your one-stop for the latest Giants news throughout the phases of free agency:
Tuesday night: What holes still remain? Is a WR on tap?
I get the "Giants need a wide receiver" argument and agree with that sentiment. But take a look at the WR rooms John Harbaugh has had in Baltimore, look at the presence of what Isaiah Likely is with NYG right now and realize your head coach might count playmakers, not WRs.
And remember Malik Nabers? Yeah, he's back and hopefully at 100 percent before too long.
Does that mean the Giants should not explore options at the position? Of course not. That could come in the NFL Draft, where Carnell Tate should be in the mix at No. 5, or another WR on Day 2.
Romeo Doubs was a favorite target of mine going into free agency, but he signed for bigger-than-expected money in New England. Someone on social media mentioned the 49ers' Jauan Jennings, and I do think he'd be a fit. Price point will have a lot to do with whether he is.
Meanwhile, ESPN's Adam Schefter shot down speculation that the Jaguars were considering trading WR Brian Thomas Jr., a potential Giants target given his relationship with Nabers, his good friend and former LSU teammate.
Isaiah Likely is a Giant, reuniting with John Harbaugh
John Harbaugh has added his first weapon to the offense for Jaxson Dart and it's a familiar face.
Tight end Isaiah Likely has agreed to terms with the Giants and his former head coach from the Baltimore Ravens on a three-year deal worth $40 million worth up to $47.5 million, a source confirmed to NorthJersey.com and The Record.
Kenneth Walker heading to Kansas City
The Giants were interested in Kenneth Walker III, but the reigning Super Bowl MVP is headed to Chiefs Kingdom, according to his social media post and multiple reports. Now the question becomes where John Harbaugh's interest in adding a running back to the backfield takes Big Blue.
Guarded optimism: Is interior OL chase limited to just one?
The Giants have interest in guards Wyatt Teller and Alijah Vera Tucker, among others. Is there a world where they get both and move on from Jon Runyan in part for the cap savings ($9 million)? Might be something they explore.
I know knee-jerk reaction is to find an upgrade to Greg Van Roten at RG because of his age (36). But remarkable durability counts for something - he played every snap for Giants for two years. That's value, too.
So building off this: yes, I think the Giants will look to sign a new starting guard, maybe two as suggested earlier. But I wouldn't just assume GVR takes on a role as a backup, and I have made that assumption at times. When we talk AVT talent, must also talk availability. He is coming off a triceps injury that cost him last season.
TE Chris Manhertz set to return
Chris Manhertz has agreed to return to the Giants on a one-year deal, according to ESPN. The veteran tight end will enter his 11th NFL season at age 34. What that means for the Giants' potential pursuit of any other tight ends in free agency - the Ravens' Charlie Kolar and the Titans' Chig Okonkwo have been mentioned among others - remains to be seen.
That includes the Giants' Daniel Bellinger, who is also a free agent.
Monday: Let the negotiating begin
We should expect a few signings from the Giants of their own free agents prior to the 12 p.m. kickoff of the market. It's at that time when all teams can contact all free agents.
More cap space incoming: OL James Hudson released
This one was inevitable: left tackle James Hudson was officially released Friday, and the move creates $5.4 million in salary cap space with $2.3M in dead money left behind from guarantees already paid out.
Hudson was signed to be the swing tackle this offseason and he struggled in the first two weeks of the season as the Giants tried to survive without star left tackle Andrew Thomas, who was coming back from foot surgery. Everything fell apart for the veteran Hudson on the opening drive of the Giants' Week 2 game in Dallas when he was flagged for four penalties on the same series, and was benched for rookie Marcus Mbow.
What does Devin Singletary pay cut mean for RB pursuit?
Running back Devin Singletary has taken a pay cut to stay with the Giants, a source confirmed to NorthJersey.com and The Record. He’s restructured the contract and added incentives for a chance to get some of the money back. Team still gets cap relief. I’m not sure this means anything regarding the Giants’ potential pursuit of a running back in free agency or the draft.
I think it just says Singletary wanted to be here and saw this as his best shot to contribute.
If the Giants have gone through their free agency meetings and identified Kenneth Walker as a player they want, keeping Singletary on a restructure/pay cut is not going to keep that from happening.
Now, if the Giants gave him any guaranteed money in this restructure, then it’s a slightly different conversation. But I don’t expect that to be the case. If he’s on the roster when the regular season begins, his contract will be guaranteed.
The Ravens kept four running backs on their initial 53-man roster in 2025: Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, Rasheen Ali, and a fullback in Patrick Ricard.
Gunner Olszewski re-signing
Gunner Olszewski had a great final game in the slot for Wan’Dale Robinson and has proven to be a productive returner. He sure seems to be a Harbaugh-type player: gritty, mentally tough and a grinder. I got good stuff from Olszewski in a conversation on box day - a far better name than baggy day for the day after the season - about this being a play-to-play league and having to earn everything he gets.
Looking forward to sharing that in a column at some point. Olszewski has agreed to return to the Giants on a 1-year deal, sources told NorthJersey.com and The Record on Thursday.
What we're hearing … and what we expect
The Giants' release of Bobby Okereke was anticipated, and the move cleared $9 million in salary cap space. There are more cuts to be made, and no doubt they are coming. The Okereke departure reinforces the idea that the Giants will be involved in the inside linebacker market.
There were rumors early Wednesday that the Giants were on the verge of pulling off a trade for a player who would replace Okereke, but nothing has materialized, at least not yet.
The Giants are expected to shop in the running back market and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III is believed to be a top target. Whether any other RB is in the mix with Walker remains to be seen, but it seems likely - based on intel gathered from discussions with league sources - that Harbaugh wants to add to a backfield that already features Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy.
As for the Giants' own free agents, right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor is a priority to keep. He could command a salary up to $20 million per year, and the Giants would like to keep him from hitting the market, which means a deal would have to be signed by Monday prior to the start of the negotiating period.
The expectation is that wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson will get a significant offer from elsewhere, quite possibly from Brian Daboll, the head coach who drafted him, now the offensive coordinator in Tennessee.
The market for cornerback Cor'Dale Flott is more uncertain, although league sources at the Combine indicated that he would command a stronger deal than one the Giants are prepared to match. Things can change, of course, but both Robinson and Flott should hit the market.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Giants NFL free agency tracker 2026: News, updates and rumors
Continue reading...
