The NFL trade deadline has passed, and the New York Giants did not make any of the blockbuster deals many fans were hoping for. Big names like Colts running back Jonathan Taylor and defensive tackle Jefferey Simmons were floated as targets. In the end, New York didn’t take the bait

The case for a big swing was real

Running back and defensive tackle are the Giants’ biggest weaknesses. Adding a star at either spot could have turned this into a culture-building year that carries into 2027. That would allow New York to jump from an unexpectedly good team to a Super Bowl contender very quickly.

Taylor, with three years left on his contract, could have made that happen. Simmons was messier. Simmons could have anchored an elite defense for years. Look at the Bears, whose defense was terrible before their own deadline move. Over the past couple of games, Chicago has looked like one of the best defenses in the NFL.

However, the Giants are still fully equipped to win the NFC East. Go look at the rest of the division. New York doesn’t need to sell the farm to win it and reach the playoffs. The Giants are winning because they’re more fundamentally sound, more focused, and better coached.

The Colts never wanted to trade Jonathan Taylor

I was never against acquiring a big-name player. My problem with the Taylor pursuit was simple: Indianapolis had zero desire to have an honest, serious trade conversation.

The Colts were reportedly seeking a package close to, though probably not equal to, the Christian McCaffrey deal. That asking price was so comically high that nobody was going to meet it. That alone shows they never planned to move him. They were hoping the Giants, clearly the most aggressive suitor, would put something ridiculous on the table.

Ironically, Indianapolis is the clearest example of why overpaying is so dangerous. The Colts misread their situation last season after a hot start and went all in, trading for Sauce Gardner. Gardner is a really good player, but they overpaid. Now they don’t have a first-round pick, they’ve been awful all year, and they had to be sellers at this deadline. Losing that draft capital with holes across the roster set them up for a drastic drop-off.

When a team that got fleeced is hoping to fleece you, you can’t be the victim. My biggest takeaway is that I’m thankful the Giants didn’t take the bait.

Day 2 and Day 3 picks built this roster

If the price was reasonable, the deal was worth making. A second- and fifth-round pick for a healthy, 27-year-old running back locked in for three years is good value. A second, a third, and an additional pick is too much.

I feel as though many Giants fans are misjudging the roster because the team is playing better than anyone expected. The Giants were bad for years because they missed on Day 2 and Day 3 picks. They’ve improved because those mid-round selections, not just the first-rounders, have carved out real roles.

This isn’t about being good now and next season. It’s about building around a young quarterback for five-plus years. The best teams in the NFL understand that mid-to-late round picks uncover underrated contributors and build depth. The Bills, 49ers, Chiefs, and Rams all have it. 

The Giants struck a balance here. They were willing to be aggressive, which is exactly what fans should want. They also refused to overpay just because a big name was on the table. Wanting a splash doesn’t mean disregarding what it costs in the long term.

Hopefully, that message sticks with Giants fans, because protecting this young core is how New York turns a surprise season into a lasting contender.