The Giants aren’t slowing down, adding two more players in free agency as they continue shaping the roster. These moves may not be headline-grabbing, but they could play key roles in depth and rotation. Is this smart team-building—or just filling gaps? Either way, the Giants are staying active, and the offseason momentum is real.

The New York Giants have intensified their focus on the third phase of the game, agreeing to terms with two more veteran free agents aimed squarely at revamping their special teams units. In a clear directive from new head coach John Harbaugh, the franchise has secured linebacker Cam Jones and long snapper Zack Triner, continuing an offseason dedicated to shoring up a perennial weakness.
This latest move signals a philosophical shift for a team that has consistently ranked in the bottom half of the league in special teams efficiency. Harbaugh, renowned for his special teams expertise from his tenure with the Baltimore Ravens, is putting his stamp on the roster by prioritizing proven contributors in the kicking game. The signings follow the earlier acquisitions of specialists like punter Cameron Johnston and kicker Jake Bates.

Cam Jones, 26, joins the Giants after spending time with the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets. His value is almost exclusively tied to special teams, where he has been graded as one of the league’s elite coverage players by Pro Football Focus. An astounding 789 of his 809 career NFL snaps have come on special teams, showcasing his singular role.

Jones has logged significant action on kick and punt coverage and return units, demonstrating versatility and relentless effort. His PFF grades reflect his impact, with marks of 91.2 in 2024 and 81.2 in 2025. While he provides linebacker depth, his primary mission will be to anchor the coverage teams that have plagued the Giants with poor field position for years.
The second addition addresses a critical, often overlooked position. The Giants are signing veteran long snapper Zack Triner to replace the departed Casey Kreiter, who joined the Arizona Cardinals. Triner, 33, was the primary long snapper for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2019 through 2024, appearing in 81 games during that span.
Triner brings stability and experience to a role where consistency is paramount. His recent journey included brief stints with the Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders, but his extensive starting history in Tampa Bay provides a reliable track record. The Giants’ trust in him underscores their commitment to eliminating costly operational errors in the kicking game.
These personnel decisions are a direct response to a troubling trend under the previous regime. Over the past two seasons, the Giants have posted a dismal 2-15 record in one-score games, with several losses directly attributable to special teams breakdowns. Missed kicks, poor punting, and disastrous return decisions have repeatedly cost the team crucial victories.
Statistical analysis paints a stark picture of neglect. According to Pro Football Focus, the Giants ranked 25th in special teams in 2022 and 2023, improved slightly to 23rd in 2024, and climbed to only 17th last season. This persistent mediocrity has been a glaring hole in the team’s overall competitiveness, a flaw John Harbaugh has identified and is aggressively correcting.
Harbaugh’s history in Baltimore, where kicker Justin Tucker routinely decided close games, serves as the blueprint. The Giants’ new coach understands that marginal gains in the third phase can swing a tight contest. By assembling a unit of dedicated specialists, he aims to transform a liability into a tangible advantage, flipping the script in those narrow finishes.
The transformation extends beyond Jones and Triner. The Giants have also added return specialist Calvin Austin III, who famously scored a punt return touchdown against them, and re-signed the reliable Gunner Olszewski. Each move is a calculated step toward building a cohesive, high-performing special teams corps that can control field position and execute in pressure moments.
For a franchise that has struggled to find a consistent identity, this focus on fundamentals represents a back-to-basics approach. The message from the front office is clear: games are won and lost in all three phases. Ignoring special teams is a luxury a serious contender cannot afford, and the Giants are finally investing accordingly.
The impact of these signings will be measured in hidden yardage, secured possessions, and, ultimately, the win column. In a division as tough as the NFC East, where playoff berths are often decided by a single game, the difference between a botched snap and a perfect hold could define an entire season. John Harbaugh is betting on that very premise.
Fans and analysts will rightly focus on the Giants’ moves at quarterback, wide receiver, and pass rusher, but the quiet construction of this special teams unit may prove equally consequential. As the team prepares for organized team activities and minicamp, the new faces on coverage units will be just as critical to installing Harbaugh’s culture as any offensive or defensive scheme.
The Giants’ offseason strategy now reveals a holistic vision. While the flashy headlines belong to skill players, the foundation for a more disciplined, resilient team is being built one special teamer at a time. The era of overlooking the kicking game in New York is officially over, replaced by a professional urgency that could finally reverse the team’s fortunes in close contests.
Expectations for the 2025 season will hinge on many factors, but the upgraded special teams operation provides a new reason for optimism. If John Harbaugh’s track record holds true, the Giants will no longer beat themselves with unforced errors in the third phase. Instead, they aim to turn it into a weapon, a subtle shift that has the power to reshape an entire season.