New York Giants rookie linebacker Arvell Reese, the fifth overall selection in the 2026 NFL draft, put on a tour de force performance in Sunday's 36-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals in front of the franchise's greatest team ever -- the 1986 Super Bowl XXI champions.
It includes some of the best players in team history, such as Hall of Fame linebackers Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson.
Arvell Reese was ALL OVER the field against Arizona today.
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) October 4, 2026
8 SOLO TKL, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 3 PD vs Cardinals
The rookie keeps stacking impact plays and strengthening his DROY case. https://t.co/7crMXC9non pic.twitter.com/WBFxXSoMaq
The former Ohio State standout, who lined up all over the field on Sunday, actually had nine solo tackles. He is the only Giants rookie since
1994 with nine-plus tackles, three-plus passes defensed and an interception in a game.
In addition, Reese is the third rookie in the NFL since 2010 to record nine-plus tackles, three or more passes defensed and an interception, joining the Jets' Dee Milliner (vs. CLE, 12/22/13) and the Lions' Kerby Joseph (vs. GB, 11/6/22).
"He was all over the field again. He played great," head coach John Harbaugh told reporters. "He had an interception, had numerous, numerous tackles again. He has really taken off."
Reese, a modest young man if there ever was one, wasn't as impressed with his performance as everyone else.
"With a guy like (Lawrence Taylor) in the building, him setting the standard for how that position is supposed to be played back in the day. It definitely means a lot to play a decent game like that," Reese said.
Just a decent game?
"A bunch of plays I left out there," Reese claimed of his performance.
Asked to explain how he could be so dominant, Reese was, again, modest. He is a team-first player.
"I think it's just being in the moment. Being poised and knowing, having that win the game on defense mentality. Just trying to show up, play for the person beside me. Not playing selfishly, trying to show up for the person beside me," he said.
Arvell Reese is no longer fighting for DROY, he’s fighting for DPOY after today:
— Rookie Watch (@RookieWatxh) October 4, 2026
• 66 total defensive snaps (led team)
• 9 total tackles (led team)
• 3 PD’s (led team)
• 5 STOPS (led team)
• 6 receptions allowed (36 total yards)
• 1 INT (led team)
The Giants rookie LB’s… pic.twitter.com/elheLdUxRS
Reese is just scratching the surface of his potential, and nothing could make the Giants or their fans happier.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants' Arvell Reese explains why his breakout game was only 'decent'
