The mission for the Giants in Week 1 just got more difficult.
The Commanders solved their biggest issue Monday when receiver Terry McLaurin signed a three-year, $96 million contract extension to end his hold-in.
Not that their early game-planning for the Commanders ever included crossing fingers and hoping for the big break that it would have been for the Giants defense if McLaurin were still in negotiations and thus inactive when the regular season began.
“He’s a heck of a player,” head coach Brian Daboll said. “Makes a lot of plays. Explosive. Run after the catch. Very productive last year with Jayden [Daniels]. Productive before that, but even more so when he’s got No. 5 with him.”
Daboll was an offensive coordinator for the Bills when McLaurin was in the 2019 draft.
Terry McLaurin will play against the Giants in the season opener after signing a three-year, $96 million extension on Monday. AP
“Unbelievable person,” Daboll said. “Had a chance to go have a predraft visit with him. One of my favorite predraft favorites that I’ve had. Just the type of person that he is.”
McLaurin has 69 catches for 824 yards and five touchdowns in 11 career games against the Giants. His matchups with cornerback Deonte Banks — including the smack-talking back and forth — were a highlight of the past two seasons.
The Giants still could catch another early-season NFC East break because the Cowboys are in a contract feud with Micah Parsons. It is possible the All-Pro pass rusher won’t be available in Week 2.
The Giants will wear their “Legacy Blue” uniforms in Week 9 against the 49ers and Week 15 against the Commanders — two of their biggest rivals during the 1980s era that inspired the look.
The “Vintage White” is coming back after a one-year absence and will be worn back-to-back in Week 10 at the Bears and in Week 11 against the Packers.
The “Century Red” uniform unveiled last season for the 100th anniversary season will not make a second appearance in 2025.
The Giants will make their final 27 moves Tuesday to meet the 53-man roster limit. Most will be cuts — some of whom will be invited back to the 16-man practice squad if they pass through waivers — but one or two could be moving players to injured reserve.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll answers questions from reporters during practice, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. Noah K. Murray-NY Post
“If you release a guy, could they get claimed?” Daboll said. “Those are all conversations we’re going to have in the next day. So you try to strategize, but it’s similar to the draft: You don’t know who could get claimed. Not a lot of people do get claimed … but it only takes one team to like a guy.”
It is the scouting staff’s job to know the entire NFL landscape while the coaching staff’s input is “this is who we believe earned the roster spot,” Daboll said.
Notable absences at Monday’s practice included OL Josh Ezeudu, TE Theo Johnson and LT Andrew Thomas. Ezeudu is on the roster bubble.