5 Key Takeaways From Giants Brain Trust at the NFL Scouting Combine

Indianapolis—For the first time since Jim Harbaugh was hired in January, Giants general manager Joe Schoen and the new head coach shared a public stage at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday, outlining their early vision for a franchise coming off a 3-14 season. Their separate media sessions produced five notable storylines that will shape New York’s off-season:

1. Schoen’s authority remains intact The addition of senior vice president of football operations Dawn Aponte—who will report directly to Harbaugh and oversee the salary cap, contract negotiations and personnel coordination—sparked questions about Schoen’s influence. Schoen flatly dismissed any suggestion of a diminished role. “I’m still the general manager of the team and my role has not changed,” he said, noting that he, Aponte and Harbaugh maintain “constant communication” after working together previously in Miami. Schoen declined to discuss whether he has received a contract extension entering the final year of his current deal.

2. Free-agent priorities come with a cost The Giants must decide by the March 11 opening of free agency whether to retain receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and cornerback Cor’Dale Flott. Harbaugh praised all three but warned that fiscal reality could limit retention. “I saw guys we want back,” Harbaugh said. “Now do we have the wherewithal to bring them back and is it a good use of resources? That’s the next part of the conversation.” Spotrac projects average annual values of $17.6 million for Robinson, $9.5 million for Flott and $8.7 million for Eluemunor; the Giants currently sit $5.1 million under the cap.

3. Kayvon Thibodeaux stays—for now Entering the fifth-year option season of his rookie contract, the edge rusher played only 10 games in 2024 before a shoulder injury ended his year. Schoen acknowledged fielding trade calls before November’s deadline but said, “Right now, Kayvon’s going to be with us. He played well, he’s motivated, and you can’t have enough pass rushers.”

4. Dexter Lawrence’s future looms Despite a dislocated elbow that limited the defensive tackle to half a sack last season, Harbaugh called Lawrence “really important” and a “middle-stone” of the defense. With three years left on his deal but no remaining guarantees after 2025, extension talks could accelerate this spring.

5. Run defense “a must” fix New York finished last in yards allowed per carry (5.3) and second-to-last in rushing yards allowed per game (145.3). Harbaugh tasked new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson with reversing that trend, calling it foundational to the team’s identity. “Can’t let people run all over you, there’s no doubt about it,” Harbaugh said. “It’s been important since football started.”

Both Harbaugh and Schoen deflected questions about co-owner Steve Tisch’s recently revealed email exchanges with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, referring reporters to Tisch’s Jan. 30 statement and saying they would leave the matter to the NFL’s review.

Giants beat reporter Evan Barnes contributed from Indianapolis.