The start to the New York Giants 2026 training camp has to have been filled with good news for fans who have been concerned over the state of the defense after 2025. Not only has the defensive front kept the offense from establishing much rhythm at all since the second day of camp, the Giants’ secondary has consistently had their hands on passes every day.
The Giants didn’t exactly renovate their defense entirely this off-season (outside of defensive tackle), but they did make a few key free agent
additions. That includes free agent cornerback Greg Newsome II, who the Giants signed to a one-year deal to (at least) compete for the starting job opposite Paulson Adebo.
Newsome has been lost in the discussion of the defense, and has, seemingly, been steady opposite Adebo since the start of camp. After all, if a cornerback isn’t being talked about, he can’t be doing his job poorly.
Well, at least until quarterback Jaxson Dart chucked the ball at Newsome after scoring in Tuesday’s practice.
On the Jaxson Dart incident
One of the highlights, or at least headlines, of Tuesday’s practice was Giants’ quarterback Jaxson Dart throwing the ball at Newsome after scoring a touchdown. Head coach John Harbaugh made his displeasure known and personally flagged Dart for taunting, moving the extra point back 15 yards.
Newsome’s response, however, was mixed. Emotions were running high in the heat of the afternoon, but he’s also thrilled that he was able to get the quarterback to lose his cool.
“I was mad. But like I said, I’m a guy that chirps,” Newsome said. “I like stuff like that.”
Ultimately, the two left the beef on the field and were laughing about it by the end of the day.
“So, we were about to post a little selfie because I seen it got on ESPN and stuff,” he said. “So, it was fun. It was funny. I like the aggression. I like that with my quarterback. So, it’s all good.
“It’s day whatever of camp, emotions get high. So, it was fun.”
On the Giants’ defense
The Giants’ defense has been a legitimate problem for the offense so far in camp. When the defensive front isn’t blowing plays up around the line of scrimmage, the secondary is getting their hands on the ball. In fact, the Giants’ secondary has proven to be one of the most competitive positions on the field through the off-season and into camp.
“It’s super competitive,” Newsome said. “That’s how you want it. Iron sharpens iron. And we say that all the time, it’s super competitive. Everyone’s looking great. So, it’s definitely been fun to be a part of.”
Newsome was familiar with John Harbaugh as the coach of the rival Baltimore Ravens from his time with the Cleveland Browns. What is it like to play for him now?
“It’s tough, gritty,‘ Newsome some. “We’re going to work, and I like that. There’s no off days for us in terms of not competing. He’s going to make sure we compete. We’re always doing situational football and things like that. So, it’s been super fun.”
It was a bit of a surprise when the Giants signed Newsome back at the start of free agency. After all, while his career got off to a great start as a first-round pick by the Browns out of Northwestern, it stagnated in Cleveland and he wasn’t able to jump-start it after being traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Still, it was widely assumed that Newsome would be the Giants’ starter opposite Paulson Adebo. After all, it wasn’t that long ago that Newsome was playing at a high level, and Harbaugh must’ve seen something if the Giants offered Newsome $10 million for the chance to make New York his new long-term home. However, 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks has been making a real fight of things, and has been making a strong push for the starting job.
“Tae Banks is amazing,” Newsome said “He’s one of the best just pure athletes, man-to-man, press corners that I’ve seen. So, he’s been doing an amazing job every single day, getting better every single day. So, I’m super excited because he’s going to help us out this season.”
Banks has been clawing out increased reps with the starters over the spring and summer, and even earned a “kudos” for his play during Wednesday’s practices.
“I just think when you just watch him [Banks] from OTA’s to now, the guys putting hands on, being physical with guys, there’s not a lot of separation with him,” Newsome said. “And just his athletic ability is fast, he’s strong, he can cover. If you just watch practice, he’s been doing a great job whenever he’s asked to get up there and play man-to-man coverage. So, I think, like I said, I’m pretty sure he’s going to do a lot of great things for us this season.”
It certainly seems like we’ll be seeing plenty of man coverage from the Giants’ defense this year. Not only is that the technique in which Paulson Adebo excels, as well as Banks, Newsome believes that’s his strength as well.
“With my game, my strong suit I think is playing press man coverage,” Newsome said when the Giants signed him back in March. “That was something that we did in Cleveland all the time was playing man-to-man, getting in people’s face and challenging guys.”
Aggressive, challenging man coverage seems to be the name of the game under Dennard Wilson.
“Just being aggressive,” Newsome said of what the Giants’ defensive coordinator wants. “Getting up and challenging people. I feel like last year, my first six games in Cleveland, that’s what I was asked to do. I feel like I played at a very elite level. People go watch those games when I was in Cleveland. So, this is something that I’m used to, something that I’m comfortable with. And I think all the corners are comfortable with playing like that, too.”
Newsome understands 2026 isw an important year for him.
“I think every year is pivotal,” he said. “…For me, I just feel like it’s a fresh start with a new team, with new guys, with a new scheme. And I’m just super excited to just embrace New York, show the fans why they signed me here, why I decided to come here”
The Giants’ defense has been consistently disruptive, and at many times dominant, since the second day of camp.
“I think for us the sky’s the limit. Like I said, everyone has something to prove this season and I think that’s a key ingredient for success,” he said. “We’re close. We’re in the locker room, staying after, just talking with each other, eating lunch together, going to eat together and things like that.
“And we’ve been practicing really well but the thing is we’ve got to continue to build. Obviously, we’re not ready right now for game one but I think if we continue to keep going in the path we’re going, we’ll be ready.”
