Giants, GM Joe Schoen Agree To Multiyear Extension
Once believed to be on the hot seat, Joe Schoen is now sticking in New York for the foreseeable future. The Giants have agreed to a multiyear extension with their general manager, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. The team has since announced the move.
Following last season’s ouster of Brian Daboll, it became apparent that Schoen had a relatively short leash in his role. The organization’s offseason additions only seemed to reinforce that notion. First, the team landed John Harbaugh to be their next head coach. While Schoen was notably involved in that search, the new head coach insisted on reporting to ownership instead of the GM. Before the higher-ups ultimately greenlit that arrangement, it was rumored that Schoen represented an impediment to that potential change.
Later in the offseason, we heard the Giants’ Dawn Aponte hire (as senior VP of football operations and strategy) stripped power from Schoen. That report hinted that Schoen had essentially been “relegated to handling scouting” while the “rest of the building reports to Dawn.” Since franchise’s tend to prefer some continuity before the draft, there were even whispers that Schoen could be a post-draft casualty.
At the same time, a report during the Giants’ Harbaugh pursuit indicated the coach’s likely willingness to work with the GM. After navigating both free agency and the draft, it sounds like leadership (including the new HC) was satisfied with their current hierarchy, leading to today’s unexpected extension.
Schoen has spent more than two decades in NFL front offices, including initial stops with the Panthers and Dolphins. During that latter stint in Miami, the executive worked his way up to director of player personnel, and he parlayed that gig into the assistant general manager role in Buffalo under Brandon Beane.
The Giants hired Schoen to lead their front office in 2022, and the GM quickly recruited Daboll to join him in New York. The organization saw some immediate success under the new regime, as the team won their first playoff game since their Super Bowl-winning run in 2011. However, that success didn’t last. Following a nine-win showing in 2022, the Giants dropped to six wins in 2023 before bottoming out with three wins in 2024 and four wins in 2025.
While Schoen has had some hits in the draft, he’s also earned his fair share of criticism. His willingness to let Saquon Barkley and fellow first-team All-Pro Xavier McKinney walk in free agency left both fans and players (including Dexter Lawrence) disillusioned with the franchise’s direction. Schoen also spearheaded the regrettable Daniel Jones extension, a deal the Giants will continue paying in 2026.
Harbaugh undoubtedly has the final say from a roster-building perspective, and the coach could have easily pushed for a change to the front office hierarchy. Despite Schoen’s warts, today’s extension indicates a vote of confidence from both ownership and (perhaps most importantly) Harbaugh.
WR Collin Johnson Retires
Collin Johnson announced his retirement on Thursday. The receiver’s NFL career has therefore come to an end at the age of 28.
“Football has shaped my life in more ways than I can put into words,” Johnson’s announcement reads in part. “It taught me faith, discipline, resilience, leadership, and how to compete at the highest level. I’m thankful for every teammate, coach, organization, and person who helped me along the way.”
Johnson entered the league as a Jaguars draftee in 2020. The former fifth-round pick spent his rookie season with the Jaguars, but only ended up playing one year in Jacksonville. Johnson would go on to see time with the Giants and Bears over the course of his career. The Texas product’s last regular-season game came with Chicago in 2024.
Instead of aiming to land on a roster this summer, Johnson will turn his focus to academic and business pursuits. His announcement states he will enroll at MIT Sloan this fall with the intent of graduating with an MBA. Johnson is the founder and CEO of Beyond-Sports, and his company is set to expand by launching Founders Academy to assist current and former athletes with business ventures.
In total, Johnson made 38 appearances in the NFL. He amassed roughly $3.6MM in career earnings along the way. Attention in his case will now turn to a clearly-defined next chapter.
Giants’ RB Cam Skattebo Expects To Play In Week 1
Cam Skattebo‘s rookie season came to an abrupt end when he suffered a fractured ankle. His rehab process is ongoing, though, and progress has been made to the point a full slate in 2026 is expected.
“Obviously there’s ups and downs in the injury process and coming back and rehabbing, but the mental battle has been the hardest part: making sure that I trust it fully,” the second-year running back said on Monday (via Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press). “I’m a little ways out. Not too far, but I’ll be ready to go. Week 1, I’ll be ready to go.”
Skattebo underwent surgery late in October, setting up a long recovery process along with teammate Malik Nabers. The latter has since undergone a cleanup procedure on his knee, and his Week 1 availability will remain in question for the months ahead. Skattebo, on the other hand, is further ahead. A return in time for training camp – perhaps earlier – is expected in his case.
Taking on a large role early in his career, Skattebo logged 104 carries in eight games prior to this injury. The Arizona State product rushed for five touchdowns during that span, and he added a pair of scores on 24 receptions. Contributions on the ground and in the passing game will be expected in 2026 and beyond with the Giants aiming for overall improvement on offense under new head coach John Harbaugh.
Devin Singletary and Tyrone Tracy Jr. are still in the fold as backfield options for New York. The team did not select any running backs during the draft, meaning those two will be counted on to continue serving as complementary contributors this season. A full campaign from Skattebo, 24, would of course be welcomed by all parties. Three years remain on his rookie contract, and establishing himself as a full-time RB1 would confirm his status as an offensive focal point for the new coaching staff.
Tuesday marks the beginning of the Giants’ OTAs. Mandatory minicamp will soon follow, and it will be interesting to see if Skattebo can take part in those non-contact practices in any capacity. Even if that does not turn out to be the case, a return to full health in time for the fall remains his expectation.
NFC East Front Office Updates: Giants, Commanders, Cowboys
Yesterday, the Giants added a new name to their front office in former Texans co-director of college scouting John Richter. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Richter is heading to New York for “a similar role and title in their personnel department.”
After taking a go at a playing and coaching career, Richter turned to personnel, debuting in the league with the Dolphins in 2011. He followed that up with a role in Arizona for six years before landing with the Texans. He’s worked eight seasons in Houston, working as a national scout and southeast area scout.
Per Ryan Dunleavy of New York Post Sports, although new head coach John Harbaugh has seized a lot of decision-making power in New York, this was a decision led by general manager Joe Schoen. When Richter first started with the Dolphins, Schoen was in Miami as a national scout. It’s unclear if the two overlapping with the Dolphins led to Schoen pushing for Richter to be hired now, but the two will be reunited as the Giants add someone with lots of scouting experience.
Here are a couple other front office updates from around the NFC East:
- Neil Stratton of SucceedInFootball.com reported earlier this month that the Commanders have hired Ryan Kessenich to the position of director of college scouting. This is a return to Washington for Kessenich, who started his scouting career with the franchise in 2005. Mixed in among two separate stints at Northwestern University and a scouting role with the Senior Bowl, Kessenrich’s 20 years of experience have seen him work with the Chiefs, Bears, and 49ers before ultimately landing back in DC.
- Lastly, the Cowboys made an addition to their data/analytics department earlier this month, hiring Sathya Balakumar to the role of football data engineer, per ESPN’s Seth Walder. Before making the transition to the NFL, Balakumar was a software engineer at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.
Giants Valued At $10.8 Billion For Divestment
Back in March, revelations that Giants co-owner Steve Tisch had been heavily mentioned in the files connected to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein led the team’s family ownership to make a request to the NFL’s finance committee to transfer their ownership stakes into separate trusts to benefit each co-owners’ respective children. In preparation for this potential divestment of equity, the franchise was valued at $10.8 billion, according to Mike Ozanian of CNBC.
The reported amount underlines the recent breaching of NFL franchise values into 11 figures. After a $4.65 billion sale of the Broncos in 2022 and a $6.05 billion sale of the Commanders in 2023, prices have skyrocketed for NFL ownership is just a few years. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross reportedly rejected a $10 billion offer to sell the Dolphins in 2024, but he did get a valuation of $12.5 billion in the process of selling a 10-percent total stake in the franchise later that year.
A consistent increase following the Denver and Washington deals would put a proper valuation in 2026 at about $10.25 billion, landing New York’s value just above that range. According to Darryl Slater of NJ.com, the three Tisch siblings started with a 45-percent stake in the team, but after previously transferring portions of their ownership stake to their children in 2023 and 2024, their remaining untransferred equity combines to a 23.1-percent ownership stake with an approximate value of $2.5 billion.
Back when the valuation occurred in March, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noted that the surrendering of Tisch’s team equity wasn’t ending his tenure with the team, reporting that Tisch would “continue to serve as chairman of the franchise’s board of directors.” Florio went on to observe that the NFL seemingly decided that Tisch’s divestment solved their problem of whether or not to investigate the matter, but Tisch’s remaining presence with the team still poses an issue.
Tisch’s involvement hasn’t quite been as removed as just the chairman of the board, though. As John Fennelly of Giants Wire reported, Tisch was seen front and center in the Giants’ draft room throughout the 2026 NFL Draft. While his ownership stakes have continued to move safely to his children, ensuring the value stays within his family, his involvement with the team has continued as usual with no hint of NFL involvement in sight.
Each NFL Franchise’s Richest RB Contract
Running back value has become a divisive topic in the modern NFL, and teams’ histories with these investments reveal a large gap in their respective approaches to RB contracts. Following our installments covering the highest-paid quarterback, wide receiver and off-ball linebacker in each team’s history, here are the most lucrative deals — ranked by guaranteed money — for running backs in each franchise’s history (the list excludes rookie contracts).
Unlike the QB and WR markets, some teams’ top RB deals occurred decades ago. This list covers contracts agreed to across four different decades.
Arizona Cardinals
- James Conner; March 14, 2022: Three years, $21MM ($13.5MM guaranteed)
Jeremiyah Love‘s rookie contract brings the highest guarantee ($53MM) in RB history, but for veteran accords, Conner’s second Arizona pact is the organizational standard
Atlanta Falcons
- Devonta Freeman; August 9, 2017: Five years, $41.25MM ($22.1MM guaranteed)
Baltimore Ravens
- Derrick Henry; May 19, 2025: Two years, $30MM ($25MM guaranteed)
Buffalo Bills
- James Cook; August 13, 2025: Four years, $46MM ($28.82MM guaranteed)
LeSean McCoy‘s March 2015 extension included more guaranteed at signing ($18.25MM), but Cook’s brought a rolling guarantee structure that eclipsed that package in total
Carolina Panthers
- Christian McCaffrey; April 13, 2020: Four years, $64.1MM ($38.16MM guaranteed)
Chicago Bears
- Matt Forte; July 16, 2012: Four years, $30.4MM ($17.1MM guaranteed)
D’Andre Swift‘s 2024 agreement included more guaranteed at signing ($14MM), but Forte’s guarantee package remains the Chicago standard
Cincinnati Bengals
- Corey Dillon; May 11, 2001: Five years, $26MM ($10.5MM guaranteed)
The Bengals more than doubled Dillon’s AAV number in 2020 for Joe Mixon (four years, $48MM) but only guaranteed $10MM of that pact
Cleveland Browns
- Nick Chubb; July 31, 2021: Three years, $36.6MM ($20MM guaranteed)
Dallas Cowboys
- Ezekiel Elliott; September 4, 2019: Six years, $90MM ($50.1MM guaranteed)
Denver Broncos
- Melvin Gordon; March 20, 2020: Two years, $16MM ($13.5MM guaranteed)
Detroit Lions
- Barry Sanders; July 21, 1997: Six years, $33.5MM ($11.5MM guaranteed)
David Montgomery‘s two Lions deals topped the Hall of Famer in AAV, but neither surpassed $11MM guaranteed; Jahmyr Gibbs is tied to the highest RB guarantee in franchise history ($17.85MM) but got there via a rookie deal
Green Bay Packers
- Aaron Jones; March 14, 2021: Four years, $48MM ($13MM guaranteed)
Josh Jacobs‘ 2024 pact edges Jones in AAV but fell short of his predecessor’s deal in guarantees
Houston Texans
- Arian Foster; March 5, 2012: Five years, $43.5MM ($20.75MM guaranteed)
Indianapolis Colts
- Jonathan Taylor; October 7, 2023: Three years, $42MM ($26.5MM guaranteed)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Maurice Jones-Drew; April 15, 2009: Five years, $31.1MM ($14.25MM guaranteed)
Leonard Fournette received a $27.15MM guarantee — still in the top 10 in RB history — but it came on a rookie contract
Kansas City Chiefs
- Kenneth Walker; March 9, 2026: Three years, $43.1MM ($28.7MM guaranteed)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Josh Jacobs; August 26, 2023: One year, $11.79MM franchise tag ($10.1MM guaranteed)
Raiders sweetened Jacobs’ franchise tag agreement; Ashton Jeanty‘s 2025 rookie slot deal included $35.9MM guaranteed
Los Angeles Chargers
- LaDainian Tomlinson; August 15, 2004: Six years, $48MM ($21MM guaranteed)
Los Angeles Rams
- Todd Gurley; July 24, 2018: Four years, $57.5MM ($45MM guaranteed)
Miami Dolphins
- De’Von Achane; May 13, 2026: Four years, $64MM ($27.38MM guaranteed)
Minnesota Vikings
- Adrian Peterson; September 10, 2011: Six years, $86.28MM ($36MM guaranteed)
New England Patriots
- Rhamondre Stevenson; June 20, 2024: Four years, $36MM ($17.12MM guaranteed)
New Orleans Saints
- Alvin Kamara; September 12, 2020: Five years, $75MM ($33.83MM guaranteed)
New York Giants
- Saquon Barkley; March 7, 2023: One year, $10.1MM franchise tag ($10.1MM guaranteed)
Barkley’s rookie slot deal included $31.19MM guaranteed — fourth all time among all RB contracts — while Devin Singletary‘s $9.5MM represents the franchise’s high-water mark on a multiyear deal
New York Jets
- Breece Hall; May 8, 2026: Three years, $43.5MM ($29MM guaranteed)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Saquon Barkley; March 4, 2025: Two years, $41.2MM ($36MM guaranteed)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Le’Veon Bell; February 27, 2017: One year, $12.12MM franchise tag ($12.12MM guaranteed)
Bell’s second franchise tag (2018) covered $14.54MM, but the RB became the first tagged player this century to skip a season; Jaylen Warren‘s 2025 extension brought the highest Steelers RB guarantee ($7.1MM) on a multiyear deal
San Francisco 49ers
- Christian McCaffrey; June 4, 2024: Two years, $38MM ($24MM guaranteed)
Seattle Seahawks
- Marshawn Lynch; March 4, 2012: Four years, $30MM ($17MM guaranteed)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Doug Martin; March 9, 2016: Five years, $35.75MM ($15MM guaranteed)
Tennessee Titans
- Derrick Henry; July 15, 2020: Four years, $50MM ($25.5MM guaranteed)
Washington Commanders
- Clinton Portis; March 1, 2004: Eight years, $50.52MM ($13MM guaranteed)
Information from OverTheCap and Spotrac was used in the creation of this post
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/14/26
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Stephen Dix Jr.
Green Bay Packers
- Waived/failed physical: TE Luke Lachey
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Mante’ Morrow
- Waived: LS Peter Bowden
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Terrill Davis
- Waived: OLB Jordan Botelho
New York Giants
- Signed: OLB Khalid Kareem
- Placed on IR: CB Thaddeus Dixon
New York Jets
- Waived: K Will Ferrin
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Rashad Rochelle, WR Trayvon Rudolph
- Waived: OLB Devean Deal
- Waived/failure to disclose physical condition: WR Michael Briscoe
Dixon suffered an Achilles tear during a Wednesday workout with the Giants, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Dixon was part of New York’s six-man UDFA class, joining the team after a college tenure at North Carolina. Ranked by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler as a top-200 prospect in this year’s class, Dixon will likely miss the season. A return after an injury settlement would be the only way Dixon could play for the Giants this season.
The Jets included Ferrin among their 12-man priority free agent class, but he will not make it far into the offseason with the team. New York still rosters kickers Cade York and Lenny Krieg.
CB Nazeeh Johnson Met With Eagles, Arranges Giants Visit
Nazeeh Johnson remains unsigned deep into free agency. The veteran cornerback may have a new deal lined up relatively soon, though.
Johnson met with the Eagles earlier this month, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. He adds a Giants visit has been scheduled. Johnson will meet with New York today. This interest from multiple NFC East teams comes after a Chiefs tenure which spanned 2022-25.
While playing out his rookie contract in Kansas City, Johnson totaled 35 regular and postseason appearances. He took on a notable defensive role in 2024, handling a 48% snap share that season. Otherwise, however, the former seventh-rounder has been used exclusively on special teams. A third phase workload will be expected in Johnson’s case regardless of where he winds up.
The Eagles will have a number of returnees at the cornerback spot in 2026. The likes of Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Michael Carter II and Kelee Ringo are set to continue their respective Philadelphia tenures next season. Free agent addition Riq Woolen is also in the fold. The Eagles have over $25MM in cap space, so a low-cost Johnson signing would be feasible.
The cornerback spot has seen plenty of change this offseason in the case of the Giants. New York signed Paulson Adebo and Greg Newsome on the open market before selecting Colton Hood in the second round of the draft. Those new arrivals will be joined by Andru Phillips and Deonte Banks in training camp this summer. Bringing in Johnson, 27, would add further depth in the secondary at a low cost. The Giants currently have roughly $11MM in cap space.
Johnson missed the entire 2023 season, and he was limited to just two games last year. That factor has kept the Marshall product available deep into free agency, but recent interest could yield an offer in the near future.
Giants’ Malik Nabers Undergoes Second Knee Surgery
MAY 14: ESPN’s Jordan Raanan confirms this second surgery still has Nabers on course for a return closer to the end of training camp. Week 1 participation will be a question mark for a few more months as a result, although Raanan adds the Giants are still “hopeful” Nabers will be available by that point.
MAY 13: The subject of follow-up surgeries surfaced recently when it was revealed Bo Nix underwent one to address his ankle issue. Malik Nabers is now in the same boat.
Nabers, who suffered an ACL tear in Week 4 of last season, has undergone a second surgery during his knee rehab. This procedure removed scar tissue that had caused stiffness, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan reports. Like Nix’s, this is being described as a cleanup operation.
This procedure occurred multiple weeks ago, Duggan adds. Although it is certainly not ideal to need a second surgery, this mid-offseason development is not viewed as one that will alter Nabers’ recovery timeline. That said, Nabers is not expected to be ready for training camp on time. Considering when Nabers went down (Sept. 28), it is notable he is unlikely to avoid the active/PUP list come late July.
The active/PUP list is a camp-only designation that came up involving a key Giant last summer. Andrew Thomas, who went down with a Lisfranc injury in October 2024, was not moved off the active/PUP list until August 19 of last year. While that meant a stay on the reserve/PUP list (and a four-game absence) was off the table, the All-Pro left tackle did not debut until Week 3. Nabers, who needed rehab time on an injured toe during the Giants’ 2025 offseason program, will be a player to monitor with regards to practice participation once pads come on this summer.
During the pre-draft process, the Giants were connected to using one of their top-10 picks on a receiver; Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson came up during Big Blue’s complex runup to the first round. The Titans took Tate fourth overall, and the Giants scooped up a falling Arvell Reese at No. 5. The decision to add yet another pass rusher with a top-10 pick left Tyson on the board, and he went eighth to the Saints. The Giants did address the receiver position by making a 31-spot jump (via the Browns) for Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields in Round 3.
A rumor indicating the Giants’ receiver interest may be partially due to Nabers not expected to be 100% by Week 1 surfaced. While I contended at the time such a protection measure would be a misguided use of a top-10 pick, Nabers’ timeline will be one to follow in the coming months. The Giants still roster Darius Slayton and Jalin Hyatt, though the latter has disappointed after being a 2024 third-round pick. The team signed Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin in March. Slayton is also recovering from offseason surgery.
Draft Rumors: Bucs, Raiders, Waller, Dolphins, Cowboys, Colts, Allen, Giants
Exiting a season without an eight-sack player for the fourth straight year, the Buccaneers attempted to take a big swing in free agency by being part of the Trey Hendrickson chase. The Ravens, after their Maxx Crosby about-face, ended up closing that market. Baltimore reneging on that agreement may have helped Tampa Bay land Rueben Bain Jr., with Jason Licht indicating during a Pat McAfee Show appearance the Raiders obtaining the No. 14 overall pick probably took an EDGE suitor out of the mix.
“Spytek, he and I are very close. He was taunting me a little bit, ‘Hey, we’re sitting right in front of you; I know what you need,’” Licht said of his former Bucs lieutenant-turned-Raiders GM (h/t the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin). “We’re all trying to help each other out here, especially the people that are good friends, so thanks, Spytek.”
Spytek worked under Licht before being hired as Raiders GM in 2025. The Raiders were all set to move Crosby’s $35.5MM-per-year contract off their payroll, and although the team signed Kwity Paye during the period where Crosby was all but certain to relocate to Baltimore, the team could have used more help at the premier position. (If nothing else, Spytek certainly appears to have needled his former boss about needing to trade up for a pass rusher.) Instead, Paye joins Crosby and Malcolm Koonce — re-signed before the Ravens’ seismic decision — in headlining the Raiders’ EDGE corps.
Keeping No. 14, the Ravens were connected to Penn State guard Vega Ioane. Ely Allen’s PFR mock draft delivered a direct hit there, and the move allowed the Bucs access to Bain. Tampa Bay viewed the Miami EDGE as a top-five player on its board and was eyeing ex-Bain Hurricanes teammate Akheem Mesidor in the event Bain was off the board. The Ravens keeping their pick after signing Hendrickson may well have helped keep Bain in Florida. Here is the latest draft fallout:
- The Cowboys and Dolphins agreed to a first-round trade that allowed Dallas to climb up one spot for Caleb Downs. That swap was agreed to late during Miami’s time on the clock, and ESPN’s The Pick Is In special (h/t David Furones of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel) included a note about the Dolphins initially declining the Cowboys’ offer to move from No. 12 to No. 11. Dallas initially offered a fifth-round pick to climb one spot; this did not move the needle for new Miami GM Jon-Eric Sullivan. As the clock wound down, the Cowboys offered a second fifth-rounder and potentially another pick to seal the deal. Jerry Jones did not view the Dolphins as a threat to draft Downs but worried another team could jump the Cowboys for the Ohio State safety, leading to Nos. 177 and 180 going to Miami for No. 11. Jeff Hafley said during an interview with Richard Sherman (via Yahoo.com) the Dolphins would have drafted Kadyn Proctor at 11 had no trade occurred.
- Staying with the Dolphins, they will obtain an additional 2027 draft choice. The 2025 Darren Waller trade sent a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Giants after the tight end unretired; a conditional 2027 seventh went back to Miami. The conditions were ultimately satisfied, per the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, and the Dolphins will hold an extra 2027 seventh-rounder from the Waller swap. Although Waller began the season late due to injury before being placed on IR twice last season, he caught 24 passes for 283 yards and six touchdowns in nine games played. Waller is not expected to return to Miami.
- The draft signing process annually moves slowest with second-round picks, with guarantees providing the holdup. Round 2 draftees continue to make inroads on that front. Last year, a host of second-round talents — due in no small part to Tyler Shough going 40th overall — secured fully guaranteed deals. This year continues that growth, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson noting No. 53 overall pick C.J. Allen received 83.7% of his contract guaranteed from the Colts. That is up from 75.4% at No. 53 last year (Buccaneers CB Benjamin Morrison). The bar for fully guaranteed Round 2 deals will undoubtedly move past No. 40 this year, and Allen receiving this mostly guaranteed pact will have an impact on players drafted shortly before him this year.