Latest On Sauce Gardner Trade; Jets HC Aaron Glenn’s Job Is Safe
The Jets’ deadline trade sending cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Colts in exchange for a 2026 first-rounder, a 2027 first-rounder, and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell caught many by surprise. However, the foundation for those types of deals is typically laid well in advance of the agreement itself. That is exactly what happened here, as multiple reporters, including Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic (subscription required), detail that the framework of the Gardner deal – and the other swaps New York made – began to take shape in Week 4.
At that time, GM Darren Mougey and his staff began to hold weekly meetings to discuss, among other things, the trade value of each player on the roster. The idea was to avoid recency bias as the November 4 deadline approached and other clubs began making trade offers.
So, although ESPN’s Rich Cimini says the Jets never intended to move Gardner – whom they signed to a four-year, $120.4MM contract extension in July – they did establish what it would take to consider trading him if an offer came in. Per Cimini and Albert Breer of SI.com, that price was indeed two first-rounders and a quality player.
After the Colts’ Week 6 victory over the Cardinals improved their record to 5-1, Breer says Indianapolis’ assistant GM, Ed Dodds, placed calls around the league seeking CB help (Charvarius Ward suffered a concussion prior to the Arizona contest and landed on injured reserve as a result, and rookie Justin Walley sustained a season-ending ACL tear in August). Dodds’ efforts led him to Mougey, who indicated he would listen to offers on anyone on the roster, even if he was not actively looking to trade certain players.
Mougey and Colts GM Chris Ballard then discussed the possibility of a Gardner trade. While Cimini says Ballard initially balked at the asking price, Mougey himself noted Indianapolis’ offers “kept getting richer and richer.” The Colts inquired on the Giants’ Deonte Banks (per Cimini) and the Saints’ Alontae Taylor (as previously reported), but Gardner is on an entirely different tier.
As Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon put it during a conversation with Ballard on the eve of the deadline, “[d]o you want to Band-Aid [the cornerback position] or fix it for the long-term?” (via Breer). When Ballard explained how valuable Gardner could be, particularly considering the importance of CBs in defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s scheme, Irsay-Gordon agreed the long-term fix was the right choice.
According to Cimini, the Jets were emphatic about including Mitchell in the trade. Breer adds Indianapolis grew increasingly amenable to moving the 2024 second-rounder, who had become an afterthought in the team’s offense. With the Jets high on Mitchell and the Colts prepared to move on, all of the pieces for the Gardner trade were in place.
Of course, Gardner was not the only elite defender Mougey jettisoned at the deadline. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams was sent to the Cowboys in a swap that netted the Jets DT Mazi Smith, a 2026 second-rounder, and the higher of Dallas’ two 2027 first-rounders. Per Breer, Mougey knew the Cowboys would not give back everything they had gotten in the offseason Micah Parsons trade, which is one of the reasons why the GM began to consider a first-rounder in 2027 instead of 2026. The other reason is that he and his staff believe the ‘27 draft class offers more promise than the ‘26 crop. Now, thanks to the Gardner and Williams deals, the Jets have three first-round selections (including their own) in a year they consider to be rife with quality prospects.
Both Brian Costello of the New York Post and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network write that head coach Aaron Glenn was heavily involved in the trade discussions, which bolsters Rapoport’s report that Glenn will not be a one-and-done coach. Owner Woody Johnson recently called Glenn “the real deal,” and sources tell Rapoport that Glenn will not be judged by the Jets’ 2025 record and will be given a chance to guide the club through its rebuild.
Johnson has a history of being something of a meddlesome owner, but Cimini suggests that was not the case at this year’s deadline. Instead, when his first-year GM and HC told him of the plan to trade Gardner mere months after authorizing a lucrative extension for him, Johnson simply reaffirmed his faith in his top power brokers.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/8/25
Several teams around the NFL made tweaks to their rosters on Saturday in preparation for Sunday’s slate of games. Here are all the latest moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed from practice squad: RB Michael Carter
- Elevated: LB Jared Bartlett, CB Darren Hall
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: CB Keith Taylor, OL Joshua Gray
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: DT Taven Bryan
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: CB Dane Jackson, LB Baylon Spector
Carolina Panthers
- Signed from practice squad: DT Jared Harrison-Hunte
- Elevated: WR Dan Chisena
- Waived: QB Mike White
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: TE Stephen Carlson
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: S Daniel Thomas
- Elevated: OL Michael Niese
- Waived: S Jammie Robinson
Houston Texans
- Signed from practice squad: CB Damon Arnette, K Matthew Wright (story)
- Elevated: DB Myles Bryant, OL Sidy Sow
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed from practice squad: WR Laquon Treadwell
- Elevated: DE Durell Nchami, DT Tim Smith
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: WR Tim Jones
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from IR: LS Josh Harris, CB Deane Leonard, DL Da’Shawn Hand
- Elevated: RB Jaret Patterson, RB Trayveon Williams
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: LS Jake McQuaide, K Harrison Mevis (story)
Miami Dolphins
- Signed from practice squad: TE Hayden Rucci
- Elevated: LB Quinton Bell, CB Isaiah Johnson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed from practice squad: CB Fabian Moreau
- Elevated: RB Corey Kiner
- Placed on IR: CB Jeff Okudah
New England Patriots
- Elevated: LB Darius Harris, RB D’Ernest Johnson
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: WR Dante Pettis, T William Sherman
New York Giants
- Elevated: K Younghoe Koo, WR Ray-Ray McCloud
- Placed on IR: WR Beaux Collins, LB Darius Muasau
New York Jets
- Elevated: OL Kohl Levao, DT Payton Page
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed from practice squad: RB Trey Sermon
- Elevated: LB Mark Robinson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed from practice squad: WR Cody White
- Elevated: WR Ricky White
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: WR Robbie Chosen
Week 10 will mark the debut for both players the Chargers gave the IR-designated for return label during roster cutdowns in August. Their activations had already been accounted for, but Hand’s had not. With those three now back in the fold, the Bolts have three IR activations remaining on the season.
Giants’ Graham Gano Battling Neck Injury; Younghoe Koo Likely To Kick Sunday
NOVEMBER 7: Gano is not taking part in Friday’s practice. To little surprise, then, Daboll said (via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan) he “assumes” it will be Koo handling kicking duties in Week 10.
NOVEMBER 6: Injuries have been a frequent problem for Giants kicker Graham Gano since he signed a three-year, $16.5MM contract extension in 2023. After combining for 18 of a possible 34 appearances from 2023-24, Gano has already missed four of the Giants’ nine games this year. He could sit out again when the Giants face the Bears on Sunday.
Gano, now battling neck soreness, spent time on IR earlier this season with a groin injury. The 38-year-old missed a field goal in a 34-24 loss to the 49ers last Sunday, his second game since coming off IR, but has connected on his other nine attempts this season. Gano is is also a perfect 9 for 9 on extra points.
While Gano has put together a more-than-respectable career since debuting with Washington in 2009, the former Pro Bowler admitted Thursday that injuries and outside criticism have taken their toll (via Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports).
“It’s unbelievably frustrating,” Gano said. “I can’t control the injuries that have happened. It’s not like I’ve done something that is out of the ordinary outside of the building to hurt myself or anything. I just want to play ball, and constantly not being able to is tough. Doing everything I can to try to come back and play, and that’s my hope.”
If Gano is unable to suit up in Week 10, the Giants are preparing to use practice squad kicker Younghoe Koo, head coach Brian Daboll said (via Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post). Also a former Pro Bowler, Koo had a long run with the Falcons, who released him after a costly missed field goal in a 23-20 loss to the Buccaneers in Week 1. The 31-year-old caught on with New York’s practice squad on Sept. 23.
Although Koo has been with the Giants for about a month and a half, he hasn’t kicked in a game with them yet. The Giants instead turned to Jude McAtamney during Gano’s four-game absence. McAtamney converted his only two field-goal attempts while filling in for Gano, but he missed three of his 12 extra-point tries. Two of those misses came in a 33-32 loss to the Broncos in Week 7. The Giants cut and re-signed McAtamney to their practice squad after their Denver disaster, and the Northern Ireland native is now behind Koo in the pecking order.
Despite having Koo and McAtamney around as fallback options, the Giants worked out free agent kicker Ben Sauls on Thursday, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. As Duggan notes, the undrafted rookie from Pittsburgh signed with Atlanta’s practice squad after the team moved on from Koo. The Falcons cut Sauls on Tuesday.
Giants Did Not Receive Trade Calls For QB Jameis Winston
With the trade deadline having come and gone, it is now known only one quarterback move (Joe Flacco to the Bengals) occurred. That leaves Jameis Winston in place to continue serving as the Giants’ third-string passer. 
The free agent addition has spent 2025 as New York’s emergency No. 3 quarterback. That situation did not change when Jaxson Dart took over starting duties from Russell Wilson. After the switch, many expected at least one of Wilson or Winston to be dealt. Instead, both are still in the fold and Winston (under contract through 2026) remains in the team’s plans beyond the second half of the current campaign.
The Giants did not receive calls about Winston in the days leading up to this week’s trade deadline, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reports. Both of New York’s veteran signal-callers were on the radar of the Bengals before they ultimately traded for Flacco, but since then Winston had not been firmly linked to any suitors. As Raanan notes, the Giants would have been unlikely to accept any trade offers on the Winston front anyway.
“When a team gives me the opportunity and believes in me, they give me a job, I want to play for that team and do my best for that team,” Winston said when speaking about his commitment to New York. “I’m a solutions-oriented guy, so I want to be a part of the solution. I don’t just want to run away when things get bad.”
Wilson (briefly) handled starting duties at the start of the campaign, but given the team’s decision to turn to Dart it would come as no surprise if he departed on the open market this spring. That would leave Winston, 31, to handle QB2 duties for 2026. The former No. 1 pick signed a two-year, $8MM pact in free agency; a portion of his salary for next season is already guaranteed.
Dart’s development will be a critical storyline for the Giants down the stretch as they contemplate the futures of head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. Regardless of if one or both are still in place by the start of the 2026 campaign, Winston will be present as a veteran insurance policy under center.
Giants Were Hesitant To Trade Stars Due To Job Security
Despite rumblings about a few of their players, the Giants had a quiet trade deadline.
Trading Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence never felt realistic. Teams seemed unlikely to pony up a first-round pick for edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has just 2.5 sacks this season. And the Giants could not find takers on offensive lineman Evan Neal or wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, two players on expiring deals they were open to moving.
Uncertainty around the team’s future also lent itself to standing pat on Tuesday, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. The Giants’ current regime desperately needs to show proof-of-concept with their current vision for the walker. Jettisoning two of their top young defenders could make the team look bad enough down the stretch to threaten the jobs of general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll.
However, the Giants are still realistic about their current standing and need to add talent in the offseason. They were only interested in players under contract through at least 2026, as trading draft picks for rentals would not better the team’s future.
There’s a careful balance to be struck there. At 2-6, the Giants may be content with a losing season if it means a top draft pick. Given the scrutiny on Schoen and Daboll, they may not be intentionally tanking, but adding a rental could help them win an extra game or two without boosting their overall playoff chances. At that point, the extra victories may not be worth the resulting drop in the draft order.
In a way, though, the Giants’ quiet deadline suggests that Schoen and Daboll believe that they have one more year in charge, but their jobs are not secure beyond that. Investing heavily in this year would suggest that they are on the hot seat right now, while trading Lawrence or Thibodeaux for future picks would indicate that they are committed to a long-term rebuild with Dart under center.
Instead, it seems like New York will be approaching the 2026 offseason with the hope of improving their roster around Dart and contending for an NFC playoff spot to show they’re capable of even more.
2025 NFL Trades
The modern NFL features four clear trade windows. While the Cowboys and Steelers’ George Pickens swap showed moves can be made at other points on the NFL calendar, early March, the draft, the late-August 53-man roster-setting date and the November deadline reside as the primary points trades occur around the league. On that note, it is a good time to check in on what has transpired on the trade market ahead of today’s deadline.
Excluding pick-for-pick trades, here are the moves NFL teams have made thus far in 2025:
March 1
- Commanders acquire WR Deebo Samuel from 49ers for No. 147
49ers chose running back Jordan James at 147
March 4
- Bears obtain G Jonah Jackson from Rams for No. 202
Rams traded pick to Vikings, moving up to No. 172 for linebacker Chris Paul Jr.
March 5
- Bears form new guard duo, acquiring Joe Thuney from Chiefs for 2026 fourth-round pick
March 6
- Intra-AFC South swap sends Texans Christian Kirk, Jaguars 2026 seventh-round pick
March 7
- Pete Carroll–Geno Smith reunion sends No. 92 from Raiders to Seahawks
Seahawks chose quarterback Jalen Milroe at 92
March 9
- Steelers acquire WR D.K. Metcalf, No. 185 from Seahawks in exchange for Nos. 52, 223
Seahawks used No. 52 to trade up (via the Titans) 17 spots for safety Nick Emmanwori, drafted running back Damien Martinez at 223; Steelers selected quarterback Will Howard at 185
March 10
- Saints land DT Davon Godchaux from Patriots for 2026 seventh-round pick
- Commanders add LT Laremy Tunsil, No. 128 from Texans for Nos. 79, 236, along with 2026 second-, fourth-round picks
Texans added wide receiver Jaylin Noel at 79, sent 236 to Jaguars in Day 2 trade; Commanders chose wideout Jaylin Lane at No. 128
- Browns acquire QB Kenny Pickett from Eagles for QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, No. 164
Eagles used No. 164 to climb one spot (via Chiefs) in first round for linebacker Jihaad Campbell
March 11
- Texans bring in S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, 2026 sixth-round pick from Eagles for G Kenyon Green, 2026 fifth-rounder
March 12
- Cowboys obtain CB Kaiir Elam, No. 204 from Bills in exchange for No. 170, 2026 seventh-round choice
Bills took Ohio State cornerback Jordan Hancock at 170; Cowboys chose guard Ajani Cornelius at No. 204
- Cowboys acquire LB Kenneth Murray, No. 239 from Titans for No. 188
Titans drafted running back Kalel Mullings at No. 188; Cowboys chose running back Phil Mafah at 239
March 13
- Texans add G Ed Ingram from Vikings in exchange for 2026 sixth-round pick
March 15
- Vikings acquire RB Jordan Mason, No. 187 from 49ers for No. 160, 2026 sixth-round pick
Vikings packaged No. 187 in trade-down move (via Texans); 49ers drafted safety Marques Sigle at 160
April 3
- Cowboys obtain QB Joe Milton, No. 217 from Patriots in exchange for No. 171
Patriots traded down from No. 171 (via Lions) to draft kicker Andres Borregales; Cowboys chose defensive tackle Jay Toia at 217
April 26
- Vikings acquire QB Sam Howell, No. 172 from Seahawks in exchange for 142
Seahawks selected defensive lineman Rylie Mills at No. 142; Vikings traded No. 172 to Rams
May 7
- Cowboys add WR George Pickens, 2027 sixth-round pick from Steelers for 2026 third-round pick, 2027 fifth-rounder
June 2
- 49ers land DE Bryce Huff from Eagles in exchange for conditional 2026 fifth-round pick
Pick could upgrade to fourth-rounder if performance-based conditions are met
June 30
- Steelers add CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith, 2027 seventh-round pick from Dolphins for S Minkah Fitzpatrick, 2027 fifth -round pick
July 1
- Dolphins to acquire TE Darren Waller, conditional 2027 seventh-round pick from Giants in exchange for 2026 sixth-rounder
August 4
- Eagles to acquire CB Jakorian Bennett from Raiders in exchange for DT Thomas Booker
August 17
- Eagles land WR John Metchie, 2025 fifth-round pick from Texans in exchange for TE Harrison Bryant, 2026 sixth-rounder
- Saints acquire C Luke Fortner from Jaguars in exchange for DL Khalen Saunders
August 20
- Jets add DT Jowon Briggs, 2026 seventh-round pick from Browns for 2026 sixth-rounder
- Jets obtain DL Harrison Phillips, 2027 seventh-round pick from Vikings for 2026, 2027 sixth-rounders
- Saints land WR Devaughn Vele from Broncos for 2026 fourth-round pick, 2027 seventh-rounder
- 49ers acquire WR Skyy Moore, 2027 seventh-round pick from Chiefs for 2027 sixth-rounder
August 22
- 49ers bring in RB Brian Robinson from Commanders in exchange for conditional 2026 sixth-round pick
August 24
- Eagles acquire QB Sam Howell, 2026 sixth-round pick from Vikings for 2026 fifth-rounder, 2027 seventh
- Chiefs add DT Derrick Nnadi, conditional 2027 seventh-round from Jets for conditional 2027 sixth-rounder
- Eagles bring back T Fred Johnson from Jaguars in exchange for 2026 seventh-round pick
- Packers obtain OL Darian Kinnard from Eagles for 2027 sixth-round pick
August 25
- Raiders acquire QB Kenny Pickett from Browns for 2026 fifth-round pick
- Colts add CB Mekhi Blackmon from Vikings for 2026 sixth-round pick
August 26
- Browns acquire T KT Leveston from Rams for 2028 seventh-round pick
- Falcons add T Michael Jerrell from Seahawks for conditional 2027 seventh-round pick
- Saints bring in T Asim Richards, 2028 seventh-round pick from Cowboys for 2028 sixth-rounder
- Chargers acquire T Austin Deculus from Texans in exchange for conditional 2027 seventh-round pick
August 27
- Jaguars obtain WR Tim Patrick from Lions for 2026 sixth-round pick
- Vikings land WR Adam Thielen, conditional 2026 seventh-round pick, 2027 fifth-rounder from Panthers for 2026 fifth-round choice, 2027 fourth
August 28
- Packers acquire DE Micah Parsons from Cowboys for DT Kenny Clark, 2026, 2027 first-round picks
September 8
- Eagles add RB Tank Bigsby from Jaguars in exchange for 2026 fifth-, sixth-round picks
2026 fifth-round pick (from Bryce Huff trade) could upgrade to fourth-rounder, which would be sent to Jacksonville if 49ers DE meets those conditions
September 14
- Saints obtain WR Ja’Lynn Polk, 2028 seventh-round pick from Patriots for 2027 sixth-rounder
September 23
- Jets acquire CB Jarvis Brownlee, 2026 seventh-round pick from Titans for 2026 sixth-rounder
September 29
- Browns add LT Cam Robinson, 2027 seventh-round pick from Texans for 2027 sixth-rounder
October 7
- Bengals obtain QB Joe Flacco, 2026 sixth-round pick from Browns for 2026 fifth-rounder
- Chargers land OLB Odafe Oweh, 2027 seventh-round pick from Ravens for S Alohi Gilman, 2026 fifth-rounder
October 8
- Browns acquire CB Tyson Campbell, 2026 seventh-round pick from Jaguars for CB Greg Newsome, 2026 sixth-rounder
October 27
- Rams add CB Roger McCreary, 2026 sixth-round pick from Titans for 2026 fifth-rounder
October 28
- 49ers bring in DE Keion White, 2026 seventh-round pick from Patriots for 2026 sixth-rounder
- Steelers acquire S Kyle Dugger, 2026 seventh-round pick from Patriots for 2026 sixth
October 29
- Eagles add CB Michael Carter II, 2027 seventh-round pick from Jets for WR John Metchie, 2027 sixth-rounder
November 1
- Eagles acquire CB Jaire Alexander, 2027 seventh-round pick from Ravens for 2026 sixth-rounder
November 3
- Eagles obtain OLB Jaelan Phillips from Dolphins in exchange for 2026 third-round pick
- Ravens land OLB Dre’Mont Jones from Titans for conditional fifth-round pick
November 4
- Cowboys acquire LB Logan Wilson from Bengals for 2026 seventh-round pick
- Jaguars bring in WR Jakobi Meyers, sending 2026 fourth-, sixth-round picks to Raiders
- Colts obtain CB Sauce Gardner from Jets, who collect WR Adonai Mitchell, 2026, 2027 first-round picks
- Seahawks add WR Rashid Shaheed from Saints for 2026 fourth-, fifth-round picks
- Bears acquire DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, 2026 seventh-round pick from Browns for 2026 sixth-rounder
- Cowboys land DT Quinnen Williams from Jets for DT Mazi Smith, 2026 second-round pick, 2027 first-rounder
Higher of Cowboys’ two 2027 firsts will go to Jets in Williams trade
- Chargers add OL Trevor Penning from Saints in exchange for 2027 seventh-round pick
- Jets acquire CB Ja’Sir Taylor from Chargers for conditional 2028 seventh-round pick
Latest On Giants’ Trade Deadline
The Giants had a quiet trade deadline, but it wasn’t for lack of effort. General manager Joe Schoen “feverishly worked the phones from all angles in recent weeks,” Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post writes. Schoen called about some “big players,” Jordan Raanan of ESPN adds, but wasn’t in position to surrender significant draft capital.
At 2-7 and all but eliminated from playoff contention, the Giants were only going to add if it meant acquiring a player (or players) under control beyond this season, per Dunleavy. Having lost No. 1 wide receiver Malik Nabers to a season-ending ACL tear in Week 4, the Giants were reportedly “big-game hunting” at the position in mid-October. However, that was before the Giants dropped three straight games and drifted out of the postseason race.
It’s unclear if the Giants were in on any receivers on Tuesday, but Jakobi Meyers and Rashid Shaheed were the only proven wideouts who ended up on the move. As pending free agents, neither player was a fit for the Giants. The Dolphins listened to offers for Jaylen Waddle, who’s under control through 2028, but nobody would meet their asking price of a first-round pick and more.
With the deadline having come and gone with no receiver addition, the Giants will head into the offseason with Nabers and Darius Slayton as their top options for 2026. Otherwise, New York doesn’t have any reliable wideouts under contract for next year.
As the Giants’ leading receiver this year, soon-to-be free agent Wan’Dale Robinson has formed a rapport with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. Robinson would like to remain a Giant, but if the team doesn’t re-sign him, it could find a replacement via the draft, trade, or free agency. That’ll be up to the GM to decide, whether it’s Schoen or someone else.
Giants Looking To Trade OL Evan Neal
The Giants were hoping that Evan Neal would be their long-term starter – if not an All-Pro – at right tackle when they used the No. 7 pick on him in the 2022 draft.
That vision never materialized. Neal started 20 games across his first two seasons before suffering an ankle injury that eventually forced him onto injured reserve. The Giants signed Jermaine Eluemunor during the 2024 offseason to take over at right tackle and declined Neal’s fifth-year option, though he still started seven games that year after Andrew Thomas‘ season-ending foot injury.
At that point, though, it was clear that Neal did not have a future in New York, at least not at tackle. The Giants attempted to convert him into a guard this offseason, but the switch did not take and Neal has not appeared in a game this season. Now, the team is trying to take advantage of a quiet offensive line market by trying to move Neal before Tuesday afternoon’s trade deadline, according to The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson.
Neal has been mentioned in trade talks this year; the Raiders reportedly reached out to the Giants recently regarding his availability. Neal himself has even discussed the potential of being moved, but CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones is “not sure [the Giants] would give him away.”
Still, OL-needy teams like the Chargers and the Seahawks could believe in Neal’s original potential and bet on their scheme and coaching staff to finally get some steady play out of his 6-foot-7, 350-pound frame. He would only cost $550k for the rest of the season, per OverTheCap, and his trade value is so low that a Day 3 pick swap could probably get a deal done.
WR Wan’Dale Robinson Hopes To Remain With Giants
The Giants’ receiver core was dealt a massive blow on the injury front with Malik Nabers suffering an ACL tear. The unit could be thinned out prior to tomorrow’s trade deadline if Jalin Hyatt receives the change of scenery he is seeking. 
Especially since Nabers went down, Wan’Dale Robinson has emerged as a key figure in the passing game. The fourth-year wideout has become a favorite target of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, and the two could prove to be an effective tandem if they remain in New York for years to come. Robinson is a pending free agent, though, so a departure this spring could be on the table. If he has his way, that will not be the case.
“I would love to be here,” Robinson said when asked about his future beyond the coming campaign (via Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post). “I love the Giants. I love the organization. But, if it comes to free agency, I’ll have to go see what my value is.”
New York has a Nabers extension to budget for in the future. No deal on that front can be signed until after the 2026 season, but it will presumably make the former No. 6 pick one of the league’s top earners amongst receivers. The Giants also elected to keep Darius Slayton in the fold by inking him to a three-year, $36MM pact this spring. Those factors will need to be weighed as the team considers a Robinson investment.
The 24-year-old said his agent and the organization have held “preliminary” contract talks. No firm offers have been made to date, however, and it would come as no surprise if that remained the case until after the season came to an end. By that point, a regime no longer featuring at least one of general manager Joe Schoen or head coach Brian Daboll could be in place given the team’s continued struggles in 2025.
In any event, a second Robinson pact will include a notable raise compared to his rookie deal. The former third-rounder has increased his production with each passing season and is currently on pace to surpass 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. That, coupled with his age and versatility, could lead to significant investment on the part of the Giants or an outside suitor on the open market. Robinson’s performances down the stretch and any resulting updates on the status of his chances of remaining in New York will be worth monitoring.
Giants WR Jalin Hyatt Seeking “Fresh Start Elsewhere”
NOVEMBER 3: Hyatt is among the players the Giants have discussed with other teams recently, Fowler’s colleague Jordan Raanan reports. That points to a deal being possible in the near future, although nothing seems imminent at this time.
OCTOBER 29: If Jalin Hyatt has his way, he’ll be playing elsewhere after the trade deadline. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Giants wide receiver “would like a fresh start elsewhere.”
There were naturally some high hopes for the Tennessee product when the Giants selected him in the third round of the 2023 draft. However, the wideout has yet to emerge on offense. He showed flashes as a rookie, when he hauled in 23 catches for 373 yards in 17 games (seven starts).
Since then, he’s been limited to 11 total catches in 21 games, including only three receptions in five appearances this year. The receiver was a healthy scratch in Week 8, and he didn’t practice today while recovering from wisdom teeth removal.
Hyatt’s chances of leading the depth chart took a hit when the team added Malik Nabers in 2024. The Giants have also continued to be reliant on Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton, clouding Hyatt’s future role with the organization. Even with Nabers’ season-ending injury in Week 4, Hyatt has been limited to only 123 offensive snaps in 2025, with Lil’Jordan Humphrey recently leaping him on the depth chart.
As a result, Hyatt is hoping to carve out a role elsewhere. WR-needy teams will surely be targeting players with longer track records, so it’s unlikely that the 24-year-old would have many obvious suitors. Rather, Hyatt’s best chances of establishing himself would be catching on with a rebuilding squad, and that may ultimately require the player getting cut instead of traded.