The New York Giants were back at their headquarters in New Jersey on Monday after conducting the first two weeks of their 2026 training camp at The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia.
The reason for the temporary relocation was to allow for renovations and upgrades to the Quest Diagnostics Training Center, which is undergoing across-the-board modifications and an expansion.
Head coach John Harbaugh was asked how the construction has impacted the team's operations in his first season with the club.
"I can't sit here and lie to you and say it doesn't. It does," Harbaugh said. "It's not Taj Mahal over there. We have to make it better. It's as good as we could do right now, but you kind of learn real quick what you need.
"The thing I really appreciate
about the organization is that the ownership here will do whatever it takes."
One example was the practice fields. Harbaugh was impressed with the upgrades made since the team last played on them.
"The fields were playing poorly in the spring. They went to work on the fields. We actually hired somebody, too. And the fields played great today. They were great. It was a major improvement," he said. "So, we're going to be in here for probably two seasons so they can build this over here. It's going to be incredible.
"But that's where we're going to be operating on it. So, we have a lot of work to do to make that better. But the players didn't bat an eye. They understand the circumstances. And it's gritty. So, maybe it's just what we needed. Maybe God said, “I need you to be a little grittier as a football team, so we're going to put you in this park over here.”
The time in West Virginia was fruitful as well. The Giants hadn't held training camp away from home since 2012. Harbaugh feels the trip will help galvanize his team, which has a slew of new players and coaches this summer.
"I think it definitely did," he said of the trip. "I mean, I think it definitely put us in position. We have a chance to be a good football team. We're doing a lot of good things right now. Okay. Where do we go? This week we told the guys the focus this week is all the execution things for sure, but the focus this week is technique.
"From now until Saturday, our individual focus is on your technique. All the little things to make you successful. Even at the end of practice, when you're dead tired, that's a fourth-quarter, win-the-game-type drill, and you're down by 14. Okay? That's focus on your technique. Because if your technique is good, you can win the battle of fatigue. And that's what we're working on. So, I think that sets us up for that. Now, go forward this week and do that same idea."
The Giants host the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, where they will be back on turf, not grass.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants' John Harbaugh praises new practice fields: 'Major improvement'
