The special teams unit of the New York Giants had a tumultuous 2025 season, marked by inconsistency and underperformance. Despite some bright spots, the overall performance left much to be desired.
Special teams are often overlooked in their impact on a game, but they can significantly affect field position and momentum. The Giants began the season with optimism, but a series of issues, particularly at kicker, hampered their effectiveness. They finished 11th in field goal conversion percentage but were tied for last in attempts made from 40 to 49 yards and also in 50-yard attempts.
Due to the instability at the kicker position, the Giants faced more fourth-down situations, which they might have avoided with a reliable kicker. Their average punt return yardage of 8.6 ranked them 22nd in the league, while their net yards per punt placed them 30th overall. Additionally, the team struggled to place punts inside the opponent”s 20-yard line, coming in 31st in that category.
On a positive note, the Giants ranked among the top four in the league for starting field position after kickoffs. This success was largely attributed to the emergence of cornerback Deonte Banks as a kickoff returner. His performance included a highlight 95-yard return in Week 18, showcasing his potential as a playmaker.
The Giants” kicking woes were epitomized by the struggles of veteran kicker Graham Gano, who has been hampered by injuries over the past three seasons. This year, he played in only five games, suffering a groin injury and later a neck injury that ended his season. With one year remaining on his contract, the Giants are likely to part ways with him, especially after the impressive showing of rookie undrafted free agent Ben Sauls.
Sauls, who was signed to the practice squad in November, performed exceptionally well in his limited appearances, converting all eight of his field goal attempts and seven extra points. His ability to handle pressure in adverse weather conditions suggests he could be a reliable option moving forward.
Meanwhile, the Giants also rotated through other kickers, including Younghoe Koo and Brandon McAtamney, neither of whom provided the stability the team needed. Koo”s infamous mishap on a 47-yard attempt and McAtamney”s erratic performance only added to the team”s kicking woes.
Punting was another area of concern, as Jamie Gillan struggled throughout the season. His inconsistency and a knee injury further complicated the punting game. The Giants” efforts to find a reliable punter led them to sign Ryan Johnston, who had a rough debut, allowing a touchdown on a punt return.
Despite these challenges, some players stood out. Jevon Holland proved dependable in returning punts, while Dane Belton emerged as a standout on special teams, leading the team in tackles. His contributions, alongside those of Zaire Barnes and Gunner Green, highlighted the need for the Giants to retain key role players as they seek improvements.
As the Giants look to the future, the current state of their special teams unit calls for serious reflection and overhaul. With potential replacements and new strategies, the organization must take decisive action to turn their special teams into a strength rather than a liability.
