Grading the Giants' 2025 season: Players, coaches, and the front office

The Giants entered this season with a widespread expectation that they would bounce back from a rough campaign the previous year after having filled plenty of holes during a promising offseason. Things didn't pan out that way, though, as the team soon fell out of contention, fired the head coach, and ultimately won just four games.

There is some hope on the horizon, though.

Big Blue will enter next season with a new coaching staff, a few promising youngsters to build around, and the resources to once again address their obvious needs. There is a lot of work to be done, though.

Despite their struggles, there were some strong individual performances, but some players failed to meet expectations.

Here are the grades...

QB Jaxson Dart

The Giants began the campaign with a clear plan for the rookie quarterback, who was expected to sit and learn for a bit behind veteran Russell Wilson. However, after an impressive preseason and a poor start to the year from Wilson, New York accelerated that plan and put him into the starting lineup, where he exceeded all expectations. Dart still has plenty to learn in terms of how to win close games and protecting himself so he can stay on the field, but his combination of smarts, athleticism, and leadership has won him plenty of believers inside and outside the organization.

GRADE: A-

RB Tyrone Tracy

Tracy's production was down from his promising rookie season, as he struggled to produce consistently and lost his starting role to rookie Cam Skattebo. However, when Skattebo suffered a season-ending injury, Tracy went back to being the Giants' main ball carrier. He ended the season on a high note, with his first 100-yard rushing game and a career-high eight catches in the season finale, but could end up backing up Skattebo again when he is ready to return.

GRADE: C+

New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) runs with the ball after a catch in the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium / Stephen R. Sylvanie - Imagn Images

TE Theo Johnson

After a disappointing rookie season, Johnson showed good progress, as he registered over 500 receiving yards and led the team with five touchdown catches. However, he was still inconsistent at times in terms of his blocking, hands, and discipline.

GRADE: C-

WR Darius Slayton

Slayton found himself in a familiar position this season as he began the year in a rotational role, but then saw increased playing time due to an early-season injury, this time to star wideout Malik Nabers. He has led the team in receiving multiple times in similar situations in recent years, but on this occasion, his production underwhelmed as he only had one touchdown. He did surpass 500 yards, though.

GRADE: C-

WR Wan'Dale Robinson

Robinson established himself as Dart's favorite target and posted a 1,000-yard season as he racked up a team-high 92 receptions. He could be expensive to retain, though, as the pending free agent's market value could be upwards of $15 million per year.

GRADE: B-

C John Michael Schmitz

Schmitz was a second-round pick in 2023 and has been a functional starter, but hasn't been as dominant or consistent as the Giants would have hoped. It was telling that in the four games he missed due to injury, the Giants didn't seem to be downgraded at all, with backup Austin Schlottmann replacing him.

GRADE: C-

Sep 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) blocks against Los Angeles Chargers linebackers Tuli Tuipulotu (45) and Bud Dupree (48) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

OT Andrew Thomas

Thomas' impact is painfully obvious because the Giants' offensive line looks solid whenever the Pro Bowler is in the lineup, but tends to fall apart when he isn't. Therein lies the problem, because New York can't rely on Thomas to stay healthy; he missed another four starts in 2025 and was limited in a few other games. Thomas is a terrific player, but the fact that the Giants found a way to win their last two games without him might have some people thinking they might be better off without Thomas and his $24 million cap hit on the team next season.

GRADE: B-

OT Jermaine Eluemunor

Eluemunor is a solid veteran and started all but one of the games this season, but led New York in penalties and sacks allowed. One of Eluemunor's best attributes is his versatility, yet the Giants didn't exploit that this season as he played exclusively at right tackle. He is a pending free agent, and Big Blue may be intending for that position to be occupied by promising rookie Marcus Mbow next season.

GRADE: C-

G Jon Runyan, Jr.

Runyan gives the Giants a solid veteran presence, but struggled when Thomas was out of the lineup and was inconsistent as a run blocker. New York signed Runyan to a three-year, $30 million contract a few years ago and may have expected more for their money.

GRADE: C-

G Greg Van Roten

Van Roten has been a reliable, low-cost option for the Giants these past few seasons but is once again heading to free agency after starting all 17 games. For the sake of continuity, the 35-year-old could be back, but New York ideally needs to get younger at this position.

GRADE: C

New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (0) celebrates after sacking Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium / Brad Penner - Imagn Images

DE Brian Burns

Burns stepped up his game, as he put together a terrific Pro Bowl season, highlighted by his 16.5 sacks. Despite New York's struggles, Burns displayed a tremendous attitude throughout the season and looks set to be one of the team's key leaders in the next phase of their rebuild.

GRADE: A

DE Kayvon Thibodeaux

Thibodeaux is another player for whom consistency has been a major issue. He missed seven games and only posted 2.5 sacks in the 10 games he did play before injury ended his year. The Giants probably regret exercising his fifth-year option for 2026, and he isn't likely to have much of a trade market.

GRADE: D

DE Abdul Carter

The third overall pick was disruptive all season but struggled to turn that into impact production, as he still only had 0.5 sacks heading into December. His on-field progress was encouraging, as he had 3.5 sacks in the last five games, but his off-field progress left a lot to be desired as he was benched (twice) after being late to meetings. Carter has game-changing potential but may have some maturing to do in the offseason.

GRADE: C

DT Dexter Lawrence

Lawrence had nine sacks in the first seven games last season, but they've dried up completely since then, as he ended the 2025-26 season with just a half-sack. While this doesn't tell the whole story because Lawrence still started every game and was disruptive against the run and when creating pressure, he fell well short of expectations. The Giants may have a tough decision to make with his 2026 cap number being over $26 million.

GRADE: C-

DT Roy Robertson-Harris

Robertson-Harris started every game alongside Lawrence but struggled against the run as the Giants allowed the league's highest yards per carry average. He didn't really make any impact plays, as he was usually off the field in pass rush situations.

GRADE: D+

LB Bobby Okereke

Okereke wasn't helped by his fellow starter Micah McFadden's season-ending injury at the start of the season, but still racked up 143 tackles to lead the team. He created three turnovers in the last two games but otherwise didn't fill out the stat sheet with impact plays as he has in the past.

GRADE: C-

New York Giants safety Jevon Holland (8) warms up before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High / Ron Chenoy - Imagn Images

LB Darius Muasau

Muasau benefited most from McFadden's injury, as he ultimately started 10 games, having not played much in his rookie season. He had over 50 tackles but struggled against the run at times and didn't make many big plays. However, perhaps he can build on this experience going forward.

GRADE: C-

S Jevon Holland

Holland was a big-money signing in the offseason and provided an upgrade at his position. But he perhaps didn't have as much impact as the Giants would have liked in terms of bringing the secondary together to function more consistently as a unit, and mentoring the youngsters.

GRADE: C

S Tyler Nubin

Nubin was one of a number of young Giants defensive backs that New York was counting on to take the next step in 2025. None of them did, though, as Nubin had some struggles in coverage and with missed tackles, and at one stage found himself benched. He ended the season on injured reserve.

GRADE: C-

CB Deonte Banks

The Giants' former top draft pick lost his starting role in the preseason, although he did get to start a handful of games in the middle of the season. He struggled badly, regularly giving up big plays and committing penalties. His discipline and effort were also concerns. While he showed some late-season promise on kick returns, it's hard to argue that Banks has been anything other than a bust.

GRADE: F

CB Dru Phillips

Phillips was another promising youngster who seemed to regress. He was benched twice for poor play. Phillips did have his moments, though, as he was the only Giants player to record multiple interceptions during the season and led the team with 12 passes defensed.

GRADE: C-

Oct 9, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) intercepts the pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jahan Dotson (2) during the fourth quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

CB Cor'Dale Flott

Banks' struggles meant that Flott, who was expected to be a rotational reserve, ended up starting 14 games, but was predictably overmatched at times. He broke up 11 passes, though, to lead all Giants cornerbacks.

GRADE: C-

CB Paulson Adebo

Like Holland, Adebo's was an obvious personnel upgrade, but didn't have as much of an impact on team performance as desired. Pairing him with another solid starter to force other teams to throw his way more often might help him raise his game.

GRADE: C

K Graham Gano

Once again, the kicker position was a revolving door because Gano could not be relied on to stay healthy. In theory, he's still a good kicker, but this is another position where the Giants need to get younger. Ben Sauls showed promise in the last two games and could get a longer look.

GRADE: F

P Jamie Gillan

Gillan has been a reliable punter for Big Blue over the years, but this season saw him post career-worst numbers as he had a net average below 38 yards per punt.

GRADE: D

Oct 19, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Head coach Brian Daboll

Daboll was fired halfway through the season with the Giants mired in a losing streak, as he had clearly lost some of the players. His on-field decision-making left a lot to be desired, too. Giants fans could end up being grateful to Daboll for the part he played in Dart's development, but not many of them will be sad to see him gone.

GRADE: F

GM Joe Schoen

Schoen perhaps deserves some credit for the Dart selection, but otherwise, not much has gone to plan in terms of the moves he has made over the past few seasons. Many around the league were surprised he retained his role after Daboll's firing and after the season, meaning he will lead the head coaching search.

GRADE: D-

OC/HC Mike Kafka

It was a strange year for Kafka, who was initially demoted, losing play calling responsibilities, and then ended up as the interim head coach. After struggling initially, he finished on a high by winning the last two games as he had his team playing hard. Whether he remains in the organization remains to be seen.

GRADE: C-

DC Shane Bowen

Bowen was fired in the middle of the season by Kafka, with Charlie Bullen taking over. The secondary underperformed, but perhaps the biggest issue on defense was that the Giants promised to have one of the league's most feared pass rushes. In the end, only Burns lived up to expectations in that area.

GRADE: F

Others

There were plenty of other players who we haven't given a grade to because they played less than half of the season due to injuries or only had a minor role. Players like Nabers, Skattebo and Mbow should play a significant role next year, though.

Overall

While the Giants failed to win most of their games and were humiliated in a few of those, this could still end up being a significant season for them if Dart proves to be the real deal. For Giants fans, if New York can build a contender around Dart, the struggles of the past few years will have been worth it.

GRADE: D-