There’s some serious buzz swirling around the New York Giants heading into the 2026 season, with “tremendous optimism” after a total roster reshape and the arrival of accomplished head coach John Harbaugh. But let’s be real for a second, this is a franchise that has only scraped together seven wins combined over the past two seasons, and a dismal 13-38 record in the last three. So, yeah, they *should* be better. But by how much? FanDuel Sportsbook has the over/under at a cautious 7.5 wins, and even their general manager, Joe Schoen, isn’t about to promise the moon just yet.
GM Schoen Likes the “Competitive Group” Despite Tough Decisions
When Schoen spoke to the media on Wednesday for his season-opening press conference, he wasn’t throwing out playoff guarantees or a specific number of victories. Instead, he hammered home one key expectation: the product on the field *will* be improved. “I feel good about the group that we have and expect us to be competitive week in and week out,” Schoen said. He really likes what he sees across the board, from both sides of the ball to special teams. Apparently, the cut down to the final roster this past weekend was “very difficult” due to the team’s depth, with some seriously tough decisions needing to be made even for the top 70 guys on the practice squad. This group had a “competitive camp,” and Schoen likes “our team,” and “where we are.” Now, it’s just about going out and proving it, starting Sunday against the Cowboys.
Harbaugh’s Standard: Best Team in the National Football League
Head coach John Harbaugh, who brings a Super Bowl ring and 180 regular-season wins (14th all-time) to his first year in New York, wasn’t getting pulled into win predictions either. His expectation is that the team will “be the very best football team they can be.” What that actually looks like, he says, “depends on how good we are. And that’s what you find out when you play the games, everything else is just talk.” Harbaugh feels good about the roster they’ve put together. He’s optimistic, he likes his guys, but he knows it all has to be proven on the field. The mission statement is clear: “to be the best team in the National Football League and prove it because that’s what it requires.” Schoen, now in his fifth season as GM, noted Harbaugh’s significant impact, saying the coach is “invested in it” and has a passion not just for schemes, but for personnel. That shared vision is going to be crucial for what they’re trying to build.
So, the stage is set. With all this talk about being “competitive week in and week out” and a roster that feels good about itself, the Giants have to go out and prove it. Their first test? A Sunday showdown against the Cowboys. It’s time to see if all that optimism and competitive camp translates into something more than just talk.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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