The New York Giants‘ secondary improved significantly during free agency when general manager Joe Schoen signed both cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland.
Holland has quickly become a leader among an extremely young secondary unit.
After spending the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins, Holland is shocked at how different and close-knit the Giants’ locker room is.
“Coming in, I just wanted to get comfortable, you know. I wanted to find that rhythm with the team, get to know the guys (and) wanted to be a part of the group,” Holland said on Giants Life. “It’s been a pleasant surprise, man. I’ve been a part of some really close locker rooms.
“This is the most ‘home boy, my dawg’ — like, dapping each other up, playing pool, laughing. From top to bottom, that is a recipe for success. You have to trust the individual next to you in order to be successful.”
The Giants’ defense has high expectations this season, especially along the defensive line. However, while all the eyes are on Abdul Carter and how the third overall pick fits into the fold, the secondary may also be built for success.
The Giants will pair Holland with Tyler Nubin as the safeties in the backfield. Holland has a chance to be a leader in the defensive backfield and in the locker room.
It seems that the changes in the offseason have had a significant impact on the team’s continuity. It certainly could be the hype around the defensive unit as a whole, or the veteran leadership the Giants brought in at the quarterback position, or a combination of both.
Clearly, Holland believes in the culture they have built ahead of the 2025 season.