East Rutherford, NJ—-The New York Giants’ 2024 season was a difficult and frustrating journey that saw the team hit rock bottom. After securing their third win in Week 17, the Giants locked up the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, marking the culmination of a painful season. With Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward projected as the top two picks, the Giants find themselves in a position where they may miss out on securing a top-tier quarterback, a need that has dominated their offseason conversations. Yet, despite the overwhelming disappointment, there were signs of hope as the team looks to rebuild for the future.
One of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal year came from rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. Initially sharing backfield duties, Tracy Jr. took on a larger role midseason and showed he has the potential to be a key contributor. Rushing for 839 yards and five touchdowns, along with 284 receiving yards, Tracy Jr. proved to be a versatile threat who could play an important role in the Giants’ future offensive schemes. His success offered the franchise a silver lining in what was otherwise a year of struggles, and the G-Men will need to build around players like Tracy Jr. as they look to improve in 2025.
“I think it’s a combination of things,” Mara said in a brief meeting with reporters. It’s a belief in them, number one. But, number two, I think when you start over, you really set yourselves back. When you have a belief in the two individuals that are leading the organization, you have to have the patience to stay with it.”
In addition to Tracy Jr., rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers emerged as a potential cornerstone of the passing game. With 1,204 receiving yards (seventh in the league) and seven touchdowns, Nabers finished his first NFL season among the league’s best receivers. Averaging 11 yards per reception, Nabers displayed his big-play ability and looked capable of becoming a go-to target for the Giants moving forward.
However, as exciting as his performance was, the glaring problem for New York is the continued lack of a reliable quarterback to consistently deliver the ball to playmakers like Nabers. Without a solid quarterback under center, the offensive potential of young stars like Nabers could be wasted.
But beyond the offensive bright spots, the most glaring issue for the Giants in 2024 was their inability to finish games. A dismal 1-8 record in one-possession contests revealed a team that repeatedly came up short when it mattered most. Whether it was due to questionable coaching decisions, missed kicks, or turnovers at critical moments, the Giants were consistently on the losing side of tight matchups. This pattern was especially frustrating for fans, as many of these losses could have been avoided with more execution in crunch time.
A prime example of the team’s failure to execute late came in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders. Holding a late-game lead, the Giants found themselves unable to seal the victory. A missed extra point, two missed two-point conversions, and a series of missed field goals by Washington ultimately led to a 21-point comeback, and the Giants fell short. Similar scenarios played out throughout the season, including losses to the Cowboys and Panthers, where the Giants had opportunities to win but failed to capitalize.
A combination of poor coaching decisions, unforced errors, and a lack of discipline in critical moments ultimately cost the Giants in close contests. The absence of veteran kicker Graham Gano, who was placed on injured reserve in Week 2, added another layer of frustration. With Gano unavailable, the Giants cycled through three different kickers, each struggling to deliver when it counted. This uncertainty at kicker forced head coach Brian Daboll to make risky calls in the red zone, knowing that his team couldn’t rely on a consistent kicking game.
Moving forward, the Giants must address these issues and improve their situational football. Daboll and his staff will need to ensure that players are better prepared to execute under pressure. Whether it’s focusing on minimizing turnovers, making smarter coaching decisions, or improving special teams play, the Giants must become a team that can win in tight games. If they can make these adjustments, their fortunes in one-possession games could drastically improve.
The 2025 NFL Draft represents a critical moment for the Giants as they hold the third overall pick. The most pressing question for the organization is whether they can secure a franchise quarterback capable of leading them back to relevance. While the team has talented young players like Tracy Jr. and Nabers, none of it will matter without a quarterback who can execute in the clutch. The Giants are at a crossroads, and the decision they make in the draft will define their direction for years to come.
Although 2024 was a season full of frustration and missed opportunities, there are reasons for cautious optimism. With talented young players emerging in key positions, the Giants can begin to lay the foundation for future success. However, to reach their potential, they must address the most glaring need of all: a quarterback who can step up in big moments and lead the team to victories. If the Giants can make the right moves in the offseason and invest in their most critical areas (offensive linemen, LB’s & DB’s), they could be back in contention sooner than expected.
“Nobody’s more frustrated and upset than I am,” Mara said. “I appreciate the fact that they (the fans) have hung in there with us. I get your frustration, I feel your pain, but I still believe this is the right decision for us going forward (retaining Joe Shoen and Daboll).”
