The New York Giants are arguably in the hardest division in the National Football League: The NFC East. It’s essentially a death trap, sandwiched between the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and the surging Washington Commanders. The chances of winning the division just based on that alone are slim.

It also doesn’t help matters that the team has been on a deep slide since their last playoff trip in 2022. The team’s record since their division round loss to the aforementioned Eagles in 2022 is 9-25. Combined with the loss of running back Saquon Barkley, a quarterback carousel, and injuries, it could be the last hurrah for General Manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll.

If both men want to keep their jobs at the end of the 2025 season, they must address the three biggest areas of concern not just for now, but for the long term. The team’s success is dependent on it.

Offensive Line

Pointing to the Giants' offensive line as a reason for the sputtering offense is not only accurate but necessary. This has been a consistent issue for the team, with a lack of sufficient staying power outside of Andrew Thomas to injuries that deplete the team’s reserves. Injuries contributed to the use of 10 different rotations for the starting line last year.

None of the combinations worked sufficiently, with the team sputtering to a 56% pass block win rate and 69% rush block win rate. Both ranked near the bottom of the league at 26th and 27th, respectively. These numbers were worse than 2023, when the team ranked 21st in pass block win rate and 19th in rush block win rate. They also allowed pressure to the quarterback on 37% of pass plays, the seventh-highest in the league.

The team is taking a different approach to their construction this year, bumping struggling tackle Evan Neal to the right guard position. In addition, they will allow Jermane Eluemunor more flexibility at the right tackle position. It’s paid off in the preseason, with the team ranking highly in pass-blocking efficiency and run-blocking.

It boils down to health and versatility: Can this team stay healthy, and can Marcus Mbow make inroads on the roster?

Quarterback

Daniel Jones will not be missed as the Giants’ quarterback, ending a volatile years-long relationship. In the six years Jones was the starter, he had a 24-44-1 record while throwing 70 touchdowns to 47 interceptions. He had a far-lower interception rate than Eli Manning and more mobility, but there were questions about remaining healthy and whether he had already hit his ceiling.

Injuries to Jones in 2023 and 2024 led to a quarterback carousel consisting of Tyrod Taylor and fan-favorite Tommy DeVito, to Drew Lock and Tim Boyle. The last time the Giants had a quarterback throw for 20 touchdowns was in 2019, Jones’ rookie season. This is an area the team is in desperate need of an overhaul and a savior. Plus, they need to wash the taste of Jones’ behemoth contract out of their mouth.

The team made some strides in this department during the offseason, signing Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson and former first-overall pick Jameis Winston to the team. They also traded up in the 2025 NFL draft to snag Ole Miss product Jaxson Dart with the 25th pick. All three have looked impressive in their own right so far during the preseason, with Dart making a serious case to be a future starter. It’s the last shot for Daboll to give a reason to remain in East Rutherford.

Secondary

Problems for the team didn’t stop on the offensive side of the ball, there were some issues in the secondary. The current 4-3 roster is fine, featuring players including all-pro Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux and rookie Abdul Carter. It’s the secondary that is drawing most of the questions when it comes to deep-ball threats.

There were large-scale issues with the secondary, including surrendering the second-highest completion percentage, third-highest QB rating, and second-lowest interception total. While they were around league average in surrendering plays over 20 and 40 yards, their lack of producing turnovers not only hinders chances to win, but keeps their defense on the field longer. Yes, there were issues in the run game as well, but the passing defense showed the biggest red flags.

Like the offensive line, they shored it up by signing veteran free agents in safety Jevon Holland and cornerback Paulson Adebo. Both bring youth and some form of solid play, immediately giving the team depth. The team didn’t make any significant improvements with their draft picks aside from seventh-rounder Korie Black. They must clamp down on both long plays and short plays to see any difference in performance.