The New York Giants' roster construction for the 2026 season is complete, with General Manager Joe Schoen expressing confidence in the team's makeup as they prepare to begin under new head coach John Harbaugh. The upcoming season carries higher expectations than have been seen in recent years for the franchise.
Schoen stated on Wednesday that the team will be prepared, physical, disciplined, and ready to compete for 60 minutes each game. "We’re gonna be prepared for the game, we’re gonna be physical, they’re going to have to go 60 minutes to compete with us and we’re gonna be disciplined on both sides of the ball, we’re gonna be ready to go," Schoen said. "I know we’re gonna be ready to go, week in and week out. We’ll be ready."
It is Schoen's responsibility to provide the head coach with a roster that minimizes questions and maximizes strengths. While the full success of his efforts will only be evident as the season progresses, the bulk of his work fortifying the roster is finished for now. Schoen is not scheduled to speak publicly again until the team's bye week in early November, seven games into the season.
Harbaugh echoed Schoen's optimism, stating he believes he has been handed a strong roster. "I do. I’m optimistic, I feel good about our guys, but that’s always something that has to be proven," Harbaugh said. "Our mission statement is to be the best team in the National Football League and prove it, because that’s what it requires."
This marks Schoen's fifth roster with the Giants, and he believes it to be his best to date. While acknowledging that no roster is perfect, he pointed to specific areas of focus, including questions about stopping the run on the interior defensive line, the presence of a true No. 1 cornerback, and the depth at wide receiver, even with the expectation that Malik Nabers will perform at a high level. "I feel good about the group that we have and expect us to be competitive week in and week out," Schoen said. "I really like the group, both sides of the ball, special teams. The cutdown was very difficult this past weekend from a depth standpoint, some difficult decisions we had to make."
Schoen also highlighted the team's young quarterback on a rookie deal entering his second year, the presence of a No. 1 receiver in Nabers, and a strong defense. He noted that four of five starters returned to the offensive line, with the No. 10 overall pick, Sisi Mauigoa, being integrated at right guard, which should bolster quarterback protection. "So, I feel good about where we are. I feel good about the roster," Schoen stated.
The Giants fired former head coach Brian Daboll after a three-win season in 2025, despite hopes that the drafting of Jaxson Dart and the signings of Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston would stabilize the quarterback position. Dart began starting in Week 4 of the 2025 season, showing promise, but the team ultimately won only four games.
Harbaugh emphasized that the ultimate measure of the team's success will come on the field. "I know they’ll go out there and be the very best football team that they can be, that’s my expectation," Harbaugh said. "What that ends up being depends on how good we are. That’s what you find out when you play the games. Everything else is just talk."