New York Giants Season: News, Schedule, Roster, and Highlights

Tag: Giants draft picks

  • Victor Cruz Boldly Predicts Giants Rise in 2025: ‘We Have a Good Team

    Victor Cruz Boldly Predicts Giants Rise in 2025: ‘We Have a Good Team

    Victor Cruz stood in the middle of Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J., on Wednesday with the Manhattan skyline in the background. The sun was shining — it was an 84-degree day — and while he was dressed in a suit for a 2026 World Cup event, the former Giants wide receiver couldn’t help but reflect on the upcoming New York Giants season.

    Though he doesn’t miss lacing up in pads or sweating under the New Jersey sun, Cruz still felt the familiar pull of football when asked about the team’s direction as minicamp approaches.

    “I’m out here in this heat in the suit, and I don’t miss it. Let alone being out there with half pads and shorts,” Cruz said with a laugh.

    But his tone shifted quickly when he spoke about what the future holds for Big Blue.

    Cruz Feels This Year Is Different

    Cruz won’t be suiting up anytime soon, but after a recent visit to the Giants’ facility in East Rutherford, he admitted something surprising — he got that nostalgic feeling again.

    “I started to get the bug back. I started stretching. I was like, hold on, Vic, what are you doing?” Cruz said. “But being back there and missing the guys and being in the locker room and just having that energy back a little bit. It’s a little nostalgic for me.”

    That energy is now directed toward the 2025 season, and Cruz believes this year could mark a turning point for the Giants.

    “I think we have a good team,” Cruz said confidently. “I think for the first time, [head coach Brian Daboll] has a team in a draft that you could feel he wrapped his arms around. These are his guys, and we’ll see how he develops them and gets them ready to play.”

    Drafting for the Future

    The Giants took a bold step in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting edge rusher Abdul Carter at No. 3 overall and trading back into the first round to pick quarterback Jaxson Dart at No. 25.

    For Cruz, this move signals a new chapter for the franchise — one led by Daboll’s vision and built around young talent.

    He especially likes the idea of Jaxson Dart learning from two veteran quarterbacks: Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.

    “I think Jaxson could learn some things from both of those guys,” Cruz explained. “Russell is the ultimate pro’s pro , and Jameis brings that gunslinger sort of mentality . That combination can only help Dart grow.”

    With Wilson and Winston mentoring Dart, Cruz sees potential for a strong offensive identity and better quarterback development than in previous years.

    Cruz’s Take on the Coaching Staff

    Cruz also praised the direction under Brian Daboll, saying this might be the first time he feels like the head coach truly has control over the roster and draft class.

    “These are his guys,” Cruz emphasized. “He’s not just inheriting talent — he’s building it.”

    That kind of ownership is key to long-term success, and if Daboll can mold this young core into a consistent winner, the Giants could be on the rise.

    Beyond Football: The 2026 World Cup Connection

    While Cruz was speaking about the Giants, he was also emceeing a major event celebrating the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup , which will include eight matches at MetLife Stadium, including the final.

    And Liberty State Park? That’s where the FIFA Fan Festival will take place — a massive celebration open to fans who want to soak in the global soccer atmosphere.

    Cruz called the event “iconic,” comparing it to any big game he’s ever played in.

    “We’re talking about the biggest sporting event in the world coming to the New York-New Jersey region,” he said. “This park will be the place in the country where fans can catch every single one of the 104 matches — right here on these grounds, with views of the Statue of Liberty and all the vibes happening. It’s going to be incredible.”

    It’s a fitting backdrop for someone who once made iconic plays on the gridiron — now preparing to celebrate another global sports moment.

    Final Thoughts: Big Blue’s Time May Be Coming

    Victor Cruz may no longer be playing, but he still carries the heart of a Giant. And based on what he saw during his visit to the facility and the moves the front office has made, he believes the pieces are finally in place.

    If the Giants can stay healthy and develop their young core, they might just surprise everyone in 2025.

    As Cruz put it:

    “We have a good team.”

    Three simple words — but for Giants fans, they carry a lot of weight.

  • Schoen Rejects Claims Giants Coaches Pushed for Jaxson Dart

    Schoen Rejects Claims Giants Coaches Pushed for Jaxson Dart

    Joe Schoen says the Giants didn’t just draft Jaxson Dart because of Brian Daboll and his staff. During an appearance on FanDuel TV’s Up & Adams on May 15, Schoen said the decision was a team effort, not driven by one person or group.

    Debunking the “Coaching-Driven Pick” Narrative

    A narrative had developed in NFL circles that while the front office loved Shedeur Sanders, a player they spent a lot of time on, the coaching staff pushed hard for Dart. This theory gained traction after the Giants released behind-the-scenes footage of draft night, where Schoen turned to Daboll and said, “You guys are sold on him. You believe in him.”

    But Schoen was quick to squash that notion.

    “It was an organizational decision,” Schoen said. “Any player we take is a collaborative process, and it’s very detailed, and we believe in it.”

    He mentioned that Dart had been on the team’s radar since the fall and that he himself had attended Dart’s final college game in person. Schoen highlighted the alignment between the coaching staff and scouting department as a key factor in the decision.

    “Three coaches on staff (Daboll, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney) that have been part of the development of two pretty good quarterbacks in the league right now (Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen) and when they are sold on a player and the scouting staff is sold on a player, typically you have the best chance for success in those situations,” Schoen said.

    The Giants narrowed their focus on Dart just three days before the draft and eliminated outside noise. Meanwhile, Sanders, who some in the organization preferred, fell to the 5th round and was taken by the Browns.

    Jaxson Dart: The Right Fit for the Giants?

    Schoen said Dart wasn’t just “Daboll’s guy” but someone who has earned support across the organization. He likes the rookie quarterback’s potential and how his skill set fits the offense.

    “We want to get off to a fast start,” Schoen said, referencing the Giants’ tough opening schedule. With the Commanders, Cowboys, Chiefs, and Chargers in the first four weeks, Dart will have to adjust quickly if he gets the job.

    Schoen didn’t claim Dart as his personal favorite but reiterated his confidence in the process that led to his selection.

    Other Takeaways from Schoen’s Appearance

    Free Agent WR Gabe Davis in Play

    Schoen said free agent wide receiver Gabe Davis recently had dinner with him after visiting the Giants’ facility. Davis, whom Schoen drafted to the Bills in 2020, is recovering from a season-ending knee injury and was just cut by the Jaguars.

    “We’ll see what happens here,” Schoen said. “No announcements today.”

    This would add depth to a receiving corps that didn’t make plays last year.

    Toughest Schedule in the NFL

    The Giants have the toughest schedule in the NFL based on 2024 opponents’ win percentages. Schoen doesn’t mind. “You want to get off to a fast start,” he said. “We did that in 2022 and haven’t in the last two years.”

    When asked if he likes the schedule, Schoen said: “Can’t do anything about it.”