The grin began to unfold across Joe Schoen’s face as he answered the query. So much has already modified for the Giants since September, since Jaxson Dart went down in Week 2 with a season-ending left knee damage that included injury to the PCL, MCL and meniscus. Since Brian Burns tore his ACL. Since accidents modified the complexion of this Big Blue roster and reframed expectations for 2026.
But, as Schoen and the Giants enter the bye week at 4-2-1 and in sole possession of first place in the NFC East, does he view his group as one succesful of making a run to the playoffs? “We’re about to find out,” Schoen said Tuesday.
The next two weeks — beyond the pair of crucial division video games in 4 days against the Eagles and Commanders following the bye — will present a tangible glimpse into Schoen’s considering too, with the Nov. 10 commerce deadline looming.
Schoen caught to the firm line Tuesday, sustaining that he’ll think about both the short- and long-term ramifications with attainable offers forward of a draft yr in which the Giants already don’t have fourth- and fifth-round picks. But, Schoen said, the accidents to Dart and Burns wouldn’t forestall him from making strikes.
“I mean, that really doesn’t affect us now,” Schoen said of the accidents to star gamers. “… That really won’t impact what we do. Again, we’re going to look at it from a short term and long term, any move that we make, if that makes sense. That really won’t play much into it right at this moment.”
New York Giants GM Joe Schoen speaks to the media at the Giants coaching facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Schoen didn’t sit behind the desk in an auditorium and proclaim they’re going all in, keen to spend any choose required to add everything that’s wanted. He didn’t pump the brakes, either, in a yr when they’ll only have their beginning quarterback for 76 snaps. The first NFL dominoes, though, already fell Tuesday, when the Colts despatched guard Quentin Nelson to the Seahawks for third- and fifth-round picks and defensive sort out DeForest Buckner to the 49ers for a fourth-rounder. Big Blue could look to improve at defensive position, offensive line and working back, but some of the puzzle items have already began to shift.
Back in 2022, when the Giants were 6-2 main up to the commerce deadline and en route to the playoffs, the only deal Schoen made was to ship Kadarius Toney to the Chiefs for a pair of draft picks. The only addition they made didn’t come until Nov. 1 handed, when they claimed wideout Isaiah Hodgins off waivers. They didn’t add via commerce until the following March with the Darren Waller deal.
This cycle, Schoen will possess a restricted quantity of picks to work with. He gave up a 2027 fourth-rounder to transfer up and land rookie wideout Malachi Fields in April and gave up his fifth-rounder to land quarterback J.J. McCarthy — now their starter after Dart’s damage and Jameis Winston’s benching. The Giants, Schoen said, are blissful to have both Fields and McCarthy, and they could always look to add draft capital back in the future.
“In some situations, that may rule some players out,” Schoen said of the Giants not having fourth- and fifth-rounders. “Maybe that’s what their worth is. Maybe a third is too wealthy or a sixth isn’t enough, so then you begin wanting into future picks and contract standing, where we are depth-wise.
J.J. McCarthy (18) of the New York Giants celebrates after defeating the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. Getty Images
“… So, we’re going to look at all the options that are available. And there’s certain teams that have already started some trades, and we’ve been in contact with those teams and have a pretty good idea of who may or may not be available.”
The Giants, though, have “earned the right” to lead the NFC East, Schoen said. They’ve earned the significant video games in November and December that have been elusive for this franchise since his first yr in 2022. At the bye week the last three years, Big Blue has been 2-11, 2-8 and 4-8.
And by the time the mud settles Nov. 10, by the time the deadline passes, the final answer to Schoen’s deadline calculus — to add or not to add, to reinforce his roster or proceed trusting in the group that navigated sudden circumstances and got them to this level — will come into focus.
“We’re gonna canvas the league and see what’s available and what the cost may be to upgrade the roster,” Schoen said, “and if it makes sense, we’ll certainly do that.”