Are the New York Giants tanking?

Considering the Las Vegas Raiders have already lost to the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns this season, one could argue that those were the Divisional and Conference Championship rounds for the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. And now that the two worst teams in the NFL, the Raiders and the New York Giants, are set to square off in late-December, Week 17 is officially the Tank Bowl!

To preview the game, Silver and Black Pride reached out to our friends at Big Blue View, and Ed Valentine was kind enough to answer a few questions about the Giants for Raider Nation.

Q: Seeing as the only thing on the line in this game is the No. 1 pick of the draft, are the Giants in tank mode, or is interim head coach Mike Kafka trying to establish a culture/prove he can handle the permanent job? What’s the fanbase’s mindset heading into the game?

A: No, they are not in tank mode. They just have no idea how to win games, very little assignment discipline, all the traits of a bad team.

Kafka is trying to establish himself. He has disciplined Abdul Carter twice, fired two coaches and done the best he can to fix a country club locker room culture lacking accountability. But, he is 0-5 and has little to no chance of getting the full-time job. That said, I still believe he might be a head coach somewhere eventually.

You know how fans are. The vocal ones at this point care only about getting the No. 1 pick. There will be unhappiness if the Giants win on Sunday.

Q: On that note, if the Giants get the No. 1 overall pick, do you think they’d look to trade it to a quarterback-needy team like the Jets and Raiders, or stick and pick?

A: I think the obvious play is to trade down. The Jets, Raiders and maybe a couple of other teams are quarterback-needy. The ideal scenario is trade down, stay in the top five, add some early picks this year and next, and use that to fortify the roster. 

Q: The Raiders and Giants could also be competing for head coach candidates this offseason. Who do you think New York will be targeting? What will make the job an enticing opening?

A: The job is enticing because it is New York, and winning in New York is not like winning anywhere else. It is enticing because there is a rookie quarterback who looks like he could be the real deal to work with. It is enticing because there is stable ownership, even though the fan base loves to throw darts at the Mara family.

There have been a lot of reports that the Giants have Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman on their list. After that, it’s anybody’s guess. I think we need to wait a couple of weeks and see if the Giants are really intending to keep Joe Schoen as GM.

Q: What are the early reviews on rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart? Are there any concerns after last week’s performance, where he went 7/13 for 33 yards and an interception?

A: That game you reference was against defensive coordinator Brian Flores and the Minnesota Vikings. It was, in my view, the only time all year that Dart has played like a confused rookie. There is a narrative being pushed by some in the media that Dart has regressed since his concussion, which coincided with Brian Daboll’s firing as head coach. I’m not buying. I think the kid had one bad game, and I dare you to find me the rookie starting QB who has gotten through a season without at least one or two total clunkers.

I am bullish on Dart. He has play-making ability and occasionally a little flash of magic. He has toughness, sometimes to his own detriment. He can throw it, although he doesn’t have a Josh Allen howitzer. He can lead. He has a magnetic personality that is great for the New York/New Jersey market. He just needs the right coach and more talent around him.

Q: Wrapping up with the offseason theme, who are the Giants’ biggest impending free agents, and what needs do you anticipate them having?

A: Wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott, and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor are the biggest free agents.

Needs? It’s a long list. Wide receiver help, interior offensive line, maybe a right tackle if Eluemunor walks, maybe an upgrade at tight end, interior defensive line, linebacker, cornerback, more athleticism and play-making at safety. Is that a long enough list?