Most experts thought it a foregone conclusion that the New York Giants would be big buyers at the NFL trade deadline.
But things didn't shake out that way. Cooler heads prevailed. Giants general manager Joe Schoen had irons in many fires, including one for Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor.
The Giants pulled their offer for Taylor, reportedly a second- and a fifth-round draft pick, after the Colts upped the asking price. As the deadline neared on Tuesday afternoon, the Colts decided to keep Taylor and will likely trade him after the season.
The Colts won’t trade star RB Jonathan Taylor by today’s deadline, sources tell @ringer @netflixsports. Multiple teams offered a second-round pick and more for Taylor. But the Colts wanted
a blockbuster offer to even consider it. Instead, Taylor stays in Indy. pic.twitter.com/FH1NtHa8k6
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 10, 2026
The Giants were also reportedly interested in bolstering their defensive line, but nothing materialized. The fact is, they didn't have much to offer in trades. The Giants do not have next year's fourth- or fifth-round picks. They traded their 2027 fourth-round pick in this year's draft to move up and select Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields.
Schoen dealt his fifth-rounder to Minnesota last month in exchange for quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Giants fans see these deals as big wins for Schoen. Standing pat at the deadline is apparently another win. Any deal they would have made today would have been an overpay.
Head coach John Harbaugh told reporters on Tuesday before the deadline that the team was exercising austerity.
"We're willing to pay a price to make our team better, but it's got to be something that really makes our team better. It's got to be worth it. If we don't make a deal, it'd be because we didn't have anything that we felt good enough about that way."
— SNY Giants (@SNYGiants) November 10, 2026
- John Harbaugh pic.twitter.com/Nh72R2DkkD
As the saying goes, "sometimes the best trades are the ones you don't make."
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants stand pat at NFL trade deadline
