The New York Giants are finally rewriting the playbook.
By hiring John Harbaugh and giving him full control over roster decisions, the franchise has signaled a shift toward a culture defined by discipline, consistency, and sustained toughness.
Harbaugh isn’t just coaching; he is overseeing a total evaluation of a roster that has struggled to find an identity.
With rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart coming off a promising 24-touchdown debut, the focus shifts to building a roster that mirrors the physicality and depth of Harbaugh’s signature teams.
Here are three New York Giants players who could be traded this offseason.
1. Dexter Lawrence, DT
Dexter Lawrence is arguably the best nose tackle in football, but even elite talent can sour in a losing culture. Reports indicate Lawrence has grown increasingly frustrated with the team’s lack of success and “personal matters” within the building.
Facing a league-high double-team rate of over 60%, Lawrence’s sack production dipped but that hasn’t stopped him from asking for a raise this offseason. If the two sides are still far apart on his potential value, a change of scenery might be best for both sides.
Lawrence has two years and $39.5 million remaining on his current deal. Currently, none of that remaining balance is fully guaranteed, and trading him before the 2026 Draft would result in a manageable $14 million dead cap hit.
Under Harbaugh, Lawrence could either thrive in a restructured system or be leveraged to acquire high-value draft capital. Teams in need of a proven interior rusher would likely express interest, giving the Giants some added flexibility as they pivot under a new coaching staff.
2. Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE
Kayvon Thibodeaux has been a lightning rod for debate in New York. After notching 11.5 sacks in his breakout sophomore campaign, Thibodeaux has played a total of 22 games over the past two seasons, finishing with a combined 8 sacks
Thibodeaux’s name surfaced in trade talks last November, but nothing materialized. With Brian Burns and 2025 No. 2 pick Abdul Carter expected to get most of the snaps on the outside, Thibodeaux could be expendable. The former top-5 pick has flashed tremendous talent and upside when healthy and could be the ultimate trade chip.
Thibodeaux’s contract is highly attractive to trade partners. His $14.7 million option salary for 2026 is already fully guaranteed, and per Spotrac, that entire sum would transfer to the acquiring team, leaving the Giants with zero dead cap.
Currently, Thibodeaux is projected to receive a massive 4-year, $83 million extension, a price tag the Giants may be hesitant to pay given their surplus of edge rushers.
If a team believes they can unlock Thibodeaux’s All-Pro ceiling, the Giants could fetch a premium pick for a player who might not fit into their long-term plans.
3. Deonte Banks, CB
It has been a rapid fall from grace for the 2023 first-round pick. Once viewed as the future “shutdown” corner of the NFC East, Banks saw his snap counts decrease steadily over the past two seasons. Between performance issues and questions regarding effort, Banks appears to be the odd man out in the secondary.
Banks is a low-risk, high-reward flyer for a CB-needy team. He has a fully guaranteed $2.6 million contract in 2026. By trading him now, the Giants would free up that cap space immediately.
Banks doesn’t have the ball skills that Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson have long coveted, making him an awkward fit in the Giants’ new-look secondary. Still just 24 years old, a change of scenery is often the best medicine for a young corner who has lost his confidence.
For the Giants, moving on from Banks is less about the draft picks they’d receive and more about clearing the roster spot and the salary for a player who fits the new defensive scheme.
The Bottom Line
The Giants are no longer in a position to “wait and see.” If Joe Schoen wants to build a sustainable winner, he has to be willing to make bold moves. Whether it’s trading a disgruntled superstar like Lawrence or offloading underperforming first-rounders like Thibodeaux and Banks, the 2026 offseason promises to be the most transformative in recent Giants history.