3 biggest Giants questions entering the 2026 NFL offseason

There was no winning that press conference for Joe Schoen. Truthfully, until he starts winning games, there's nothing he can do to win over anyone who's turned their back on him. The Giants beat the Cowboys on Sunday to finish this season 4-13. They're now 7-27 over the last two years.

That usually calls forth wholesale changes. Ownership, barring a last-second change of heart, doesn't want that. They hope to stick with Schoen at general manager, find a new head coach, and continue down this path they believe is the right one.

Schoen, at that bye-week presser, though, made a good point. It sure looks like the Giants have their franchise quarterback in Jaxson Dart. And, with him on a rookie contract, this is when building a team gets fun. You build it all around him, and once you do, begin competing.

How exactly the Giants go about that is a major question this offseason. What are some others?

Here's the breakdown...

Who will the head coach be?

This will be the Giants' most important decision of the offseason.

Team officials believe the roster is closer to contention than the 2025 record indicated and that coaching issues, more than personnel, held the team back. That belief contributed to the firing of Brian Daboll following another fourth-quarter collapse, this one against Chicago, though similar late-game failures continued under interim coach Mike Kafka.

The Giants are expected to conduct a wide-ranging search for their next head coach. A move to the college ranks now appears unlikely after Marcus Freeman committed to remain at Notre Dame, but former NFL head coaches such as Antonio Pierce and Mike McCarthy are expected to receive consideration.

New York could also pursue established coaches if they become available, including Kevin Stefanski, Zac Taylor, John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin. Among coordinators, the Giants are expected to monitor Klint Kubiak, Jesse Minter, Lou Anarumo, Jeff Hafley and Chris Shula, among others.

The priority, according to team sources, is finding a strong organizational leader capable of commanding the locker room - an element the Giants believe was lacking under Daboll. Hiring an offensive-minded head coach is not considered essential, but candidates must present a clear plan for Dart's development at quarterback and a defined succession plan at offensive coordinator.

When will Malik Nabers return?

Dart's first career start coincided with the end of Nabers' season, after the standout receiver tore his ACL.

Nabers has remained around the team in recent weeks, but his recovery timeline remains uncertain. Knee injuries can be unpredictable, and it is unclear whether he will be ready for the start of the offseason program or at any point during training camp. He attended Sunday's season finale wearing a large knee brace and walking with a cane. While the expectation is that Nabers will be available for Week 1, the Giants acknowledge there are no guarantees, as seen previously with players such as Andrew Thomas.

Slot receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, who is coming off his first 1,000-yard season, is set to become an unrestricted free agent. The Giants are expected to pursue a re-signing. Darius Slayton remains under contract for next season, but his production dipped significantly this year (37 catches, 538 yards, one touchdown).

If there are any concerns about Nabers' availability, the Giants will need to add reinforcements to the receiving corps.

There was a belief within the organization that Dart was limited by the personnel around him this season - a situation the Giants are determined not to repeat.

Can the Giants fix their defense?

The Giants' defense struggled throughout the season, finishing fourth worst in yards per game (364.1) and seventh worst in points allowed (26.4), despite a significant investment of premium resources on that side of the ball.

New York devoted multiple high draft picks to the defense, including Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dexter Lawrence, Tyler Nubin and Deonte Banks. The Giants also added talent through trades, most notably Brian Burns, and free agency with signings such as Bobby Okereke, Paulson Adebo and Jevon Holland.

For a young quarterback, defensive stability is often critical - particularly the ability to keep games within one score and reduce pressure late. That support was largely absent this season.

Addressing the defense will be a priority this offseason, whether through changes in leadership aimed at maximizing the existing personnel or through roster turnover designed to inject new production and accountability.