5 training camp questions for Giants as John Harbaugh era begins
From left, Giants cornerback Colton Hood, head coach John Harbaugh and cornerback Nic Jones during OTAs in East Rutherford, N.J., on June 3. Credit: Ed Murray
The John Harbaugh era begins with its first training camp Tuesday and practice starting Wednesday. But for the first two weeks of camp, the Giants will be on the road at The Greenbrier in West Virginia.
Why there? Partly because the Giants’ practice facility is undergoing construction for renovations. But Harbaugh also sees it as a chance for his first team to build closer bonds.
“It's a simple place to be, you know,” Harbaugh said in June. “You don't have to deal with coming back and forth from a hotel. Guys aren’t going home. They're going to be with each other into the evening, stuff like that, go to dinner together. I think it's a real plus for us.
After going 7-27 over the last two seasons, any changes or benefits are necessary. Here are five questions facing the Giants ahead of camp:
Will Malik Nabers suit up at any point?
The Giants didn’t place Nabers on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list ahead of training camp. That means there’s faint optimism he can return at some point before the season opener on Sept. 13
When that point is, however, remains to be seen. Nabers is still recovering from tearing his right ACL and meniscus last September and he had a cleanup procedure in May. Harbaugh said during organized team activities that Nabers is still grinding through rehab with the goal to return in camp.
His absence lingers over camp because it affects everything, including Jaxson Dart’s development and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy installing his new system. How Nabers is brought along will be the No. 1 storyline to watch through camp and the preseason.
Fortunately, there’s seven weeks to watch Nabers’ recovery unfold. So it doesn’t matter what Nabers can’t do in West Virginia. It matters what he can do closer to Sept. 13 when the Giants open the season. That’s the goal and time will tell if Nabers is ready by then or not.
How will John Harbaugh leave an imprint on his first training camp?
Harbaugh has a reputation for tough, demanding training camps. He joked that it’s not Vince Lombardi-esque but if Lombardi was a 10 on the extreme level, a Harbaugh camp might be an 8.
Starting Wednesday, the Giants are practicing 10 of the next 11 days in West Virginia. That might be a lot but it’s more about what gets accomplished than how much they sweat. Will practices be more physical? Will Harbaugh’s words lead to changes fans can see when they attend camp?
It’s why his actions will be studied as much as any player. The Giants didn’t pay Harbaugh a reported $20 million a year to make speeches. They paid him to bring change that leads to more wins. If that starts with tougher practices, this trip will set the right tone.
Perhaps more vigor can have the Giants ready by Sept. 13. They haven’t scored a touchdown in their last three season openers, all losses. The Harbaugh Way will be tough but camp will demonstrate if it's constructive.
How much better will Jaxson Dart look in Year 2?
It may be Jaxson Dart’s second year, but this is his first full year leading the Giants’ offense. How will he handle the challenge of running things but also growing as a quarterback?
New tight end Isaiah Likely should form a strong 1-2 punch with returning starter Theo Johnson. Add in four returning offensive linemen and Dart has pieces to build with. It just depends how fast he can pick up offensive coordinator’s Matt Nagy’s scheme because the Giants need him to take a second-year leap. They also need Dart to be smarter on avoiding hits when he uses his legs.
“I think he does a great job of understanding his role and what that means for our football team,” quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan said of Dart in June. “But [he] also understands how to handle the pressures that come with it.”
Last year, Dart had a grace period learning the league. This year, there’s less leeway even in a new system. But this is where the Giants’ faith in Dart must be validated. How they rise from the NFC East cellar depends heavily on Dart growing into the quarterback the team expects him to be.
How will Giants new offense/defense take shape?
It’s not just Harbaugh shaping the Giants. A new coach means a new offense and defense to teach and that means more attention on coordinators Nagy and Dennard Wilson.
Nagy’s task involves getting more out of Dart but also building on a ground game that was fifth in rushing yards per game last season. He also has to develop a more explosive offense even if it’s limited by Nabers’ absence.
As for Wilson, he’ll shift the Giants from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4, meaning three down linemen. He wants his defense to be unpredictable, dynamic, decisive and unapologetic. The most important thing is fixing a run defense that ranked among the NFL’s worst the last two seasons.
How fast the players pick up these new systems will be critical. If the Giants want to improve, Nagy and Wilson must fix last season’s holes and create better ways for players to make plays.
Can Odell Beckham Jr. earn a roster spot?
It’s rare that a receiver who hasn’t played since 2024 is a focal point. But Odell Beckham Jr. is a rare player who deserves the attention.
Beckham signed a one-year deal to return to the Giants. Now it’s time for him to prove this signing wasn’t about being sentimental. Both he and the Giants believe he can still produce after two major knee injuries, but a roster spot isn’t guaranteed.
This isn’t the same player who electrified fans a decade ago. It’s a humbler, more Earthbound receiver who hasn’t caught a touchdown since 2023.
If he can earn a spot on this team, it’ll delight Giants fans and Harbaugh, who coached him in Baltimore. It's worth watching if Beckham can prove he’s still valuable.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
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