The New York Giants’ 2-10 season has been highly disappointing for fans, marked by numerous highs and lows. Even with multiple coaching changes, brutal injuries, and frustrating roster decisions, there are still positives to be taken away from this year.

Many would assume there is little to be optimistic about, but the Giants have discovered their young core and have flashed the potential to be a rising franchise in 2026. Now that we’re two-thirds through the season, let’s look back and evaluate how New York has done.

Offensive superlatives

MVP: Jaxson Dart

Once Jaxson Dart stepped on the field, there was an unmistakable shift in how the team operated. Dart has flashed numerous times high-level playmaking that many rookie quarterbacks are not capable of. Even without quality receiving targets, Dart has found a way to keep the Giants alive in games. His 17 total touchdowns in seven games speak for themselves and will be a building block for hopefully a stellar second season in the NFL.

Glue guy: Andrew Thomas

Without Andrew Thomas, the Giants’ offensive line would be well below average. The consistent reliability that Thomas provides is something most franchises desperately desire. This season, he’s only allowed one sack and two quarterback hits. Every Giants fan can agree that Thomas is one of the most critical assets to the team.

Biggest surprise: Wan’Dale Robinson

While Wan’Dale Robinson hasn’t been consistent this season, he’s delivered several dominant performances in 2025. He has four games over 80 receiving yards, totaling 794 yards and three touchdowns. His emergence without having Malik Nabers alongside him has proven that he can be a solid second or third option in the offense.

Biggest disappointment: Darius Slayton

After signing a controversial extension this offseason, Slayton was required to have a larger impact on the offense. This season, he’s been banged up, and when he’s been on the field, he’s been a ghost. He has five games under 50 yards receiving and only 366 receiving yards. As a captain and important veteran, Slayton needs to be producing more than this.

Turning point of the last six weeks: Week 6 win over the Eagles

The Giants’ Week 6 win over the Philadelphia Eagles was one of the few bright spots of the season. That win established that the young, dynamic duo of Dart and Cam Skattebo can be dangerous in the future. As they ran past an emotionless Eagles team, the Giants proved they could fight, thanks to those two youngsters. Most impressively, they did it on a short week with few receivers available. While they haven’t won since, it could be a game that Giants fans look back on in three years as the moment the franchise started to improve.

Offense overall grade: B

Defensive superlatives

MVP: Brian Burns

If the Giants weren’t such a defensive mess and only had two wins, Brian Burns could be getting more serious consideration for Defensive Player of the Year. Having 11 sacks and 19 hurries is an elite stat line through twelve games. Burns has consistently made the most significant plays when the Giants have needed him most.

Glue guy: Abdul Carter

Abdul Carter’s 2025 season has been perplexing. He hasn’t been productive at all in sacks, with only half a sack. However, his pressure production has set up his teammates consistently to produce when getting after the passer. He’s second on the team in total pressures with 38. Maybe a new defensive coordinator can help his production go up.

Biggest surprise: Cor’Dale Flott

Cor’Dale Flott hasn’t been perfect this season, but his solid performances have been notable. As the Giants look ahead to figuring out who the pieces are they can rely on, Flott established that he can be a solid outside cornerback. He leads the team in pass breakups with seven and has numerous highlights throughout the season, including significant disruptions at the catch point. He may not be an elite corner, but having solid starters is essential.

Biggest disappointment: Pretty much the entire safety room

Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin specifically have been extremely underwhelming this season. Both players have been liabilities in coverage and against the run. Considering the Giants spent an early draft pick on Nubin and an expensive free agent contract on Holland, it’s disappointing they don’t have their safety room figured out.

Turning point of the last six weeks: Losing to the Broncos

In this circumstance, the turning point is highly harmful. The moment the Giants’ fourth-quarter lead was erased, it was pretty clear the Giants’ season was over. They played three tremendous quarters defensively, but inexplicably collapsed. From that point on, it was clear that Brian Daboll would be on the way out and that Shane Bowen was inept.

Defense overall grade: D+

2025 draft class superlatives

Overachiever: Cam Skattebo

Fourth-round running backs aren’t supposed to produce the way Skattebo was before he suffered his season-ending injury. His hard-nosed running and underrated receiving ability provided a spark that the Giants needed. Most importantly, it’s clear that once he returns, the Giants have a primary running back that they can lean on for 20-plus touches a game.

Rookie we need to see more from: Marcus Mbow

We’ve literally barely seen Mbow play because he’s a developmental player. In his limited fill-in role, Mbow allowed 13 pressures, which is the fourth most on the team. He did have some solid plays when he was on the field, but there is clearly a lot of work still to be done.

Underachiever: None

The Giants’ 2025 Draft class has been extremely impressive, and I think it would be nitpicking to claim someone underachieved. Dart was the best rookie quarterback before he got hurt. Carter needs to produce more sacks, but has been disruptive. Darius Alexander has turned it on recently. Skattebo was ultra productive before he got hurt. Mbow needs more reps, but rose the depth chart quicker than expected. And what are we supposed to expect from two late-rounders in Thomas Fidone and Korie Black?

draft class overall grade: A

Coaching report card

Grade: F

Brian Daboll was fired in the middle of the season, coaching for a franchise that rarely makes midseason fires. The team was a regressing mess and continuously collapsed in games where they held late leads. One layer to monitor is whether interim head coach Mike Kafka can continue to impress and possibly return as the offensive coordinator.

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