The New York Giants may have a more favorable strength of schedule in 2026 after a challenging 2025 season. Major changes, including hiring John Harbaugh as head coach, have sparked optimism for a turnaround.
Key points
Giants finished 2025 season with a 4-13 record
John Harbaugh hired as new head coach
2025 schedule was the most challenging in the NFL
Giants blew five fourth-quarter leads
Key players missed significant time due to injuries
Mentioned in this story
John Harbaugh
New York GiantsMalik NabersMicah McFaddenCam Skattebo
New York Giants potentially face easier strength of schedule in 2026
Many experts are predicting the New York Giants will be one of the NFL's biggest turnaround stories in 2026. After finishing 4-13 in 2025, the Giants made major changes to the organization, most notably hiring John Harbaugh as head coach.
The reason for the optimism is simple. Their schedule was the most challenging in the NFL last season, entering the year, with their opponents compiling a collective .574 winning percentage. The Giants also blew five fourth-quarter leads, four of which were in double-digits.
The Giants were also playing most of the year without several key players: No. 1 wide receiver Malik Nabers, top-tackler Micah McFadden, and rookie sensation running back Cam Skattebo.
Giants select Arvell Reese
Giants select Francis Mauigoa
Q&A
What changes did the New York Giants make for the 2026 season?
The Giants hired John Harbaugh as their new head coach and made several organizational changes to improve their performance.
How did the New York Giants perform in the 2025 season?
The Giants finished the 2025 season with a record of 4-13, facing the most challenging schedule in the NFL.
What factors contributed to the Giants' struggles in 2025?
The Giants struggled due to a tough schedule, blowing five fourth-quarter leads, and playing without key players like Malik Nabers and Micah McFadden.
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New York Giants select Colton Hood
New York Giants select Fields
Giants select Bobby Jamison-Travis
Giants select J.C. Davis
Giants select Jack Kelly
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New York Giants' 2026 rookie draft class
Giants select Arvell Reese
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New York Giants' 2026 rookie draft class
Giants select Arvell Reese
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New York Giants' 2026 rookie draft class
Giants select Francis Mauigoa
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New York Giants' 2026 rookie draft class
New York Giants select Colton Hood
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New York Giants' 2026 rookie draft class
New York Giants select Fields
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New York Giants' 2026 rookie draft class
Giants select Bobby Jamison-Travis
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New York Giants' 2026 rookie draft class
Giants select J.C. Davis
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New York Giants' 2026 rookie draft class
Giants select Jack Kelly
This year, all of those players (and more) will be back, and the Giants will also benefit from a more lenient schedule.
Per Sharp Football Analysis, the Giants will have the ninth-hardest, or the 24th easiest, schedule in the NFL entering the 2026 season.
The rankings are based on the projected win totals for the upcoming season, not last year's data. If that is true, Big Blue should be in for an easier ride in 2026.
This season, the Giants will play their NFC East rivals (Dallas, Philadelphia, and Washington) in their usual home-and-away series. The schedule then calls for games against the NFC West and AFC, with their two at-large NFC games against New Orleans and Detroit and their additional interconference match versus Cleveland.
