Giants May Have Found a New Starter at a Critical Position

The New York Giants entered the 2026 NFL campaign with a solid offensive line thanks to Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor occupying the tackle spots and Francis Mauigoa being drafted to fill a gap at right guard.

But there is no question that the Giants still faced some question marks on the interior.

Jon Runyan Jr. had previously been viewed as a cut candidate at left guard (before strangely being extended), and John Michael Schmitz has been underwhelming at center ever since being drafted in the second round back in 2023.

Well, New York got a taste of what the center position would be like without Schmitz against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, as Schmitz was a late scratch from the lineup after missing Friday's practice due to the birth of his first child.

Bryan Hudson got the start in Schmitz's stead, and the undrafted Louisville product didn't allow a single sack, hurry or pressure in 67 snaps in the Giants' win.

Meanwhile, Schmitz logged a 45.7 overall grade at Pro Football Focus in his first three games of the season, posting a 42.3 pass-blocking grade.

Schmitz has been a big disappointment for years now, and there is no question that his job could be on the line. And considering how well Hudson played in Week 4, there is a legitimate argument that Schmitz should be benched.

There is a lot to like about Hudson, who has great size for a center at 6-foot-5, 305 pounds and seemed to be playing with a chip on his shoulder Sunday.

Not only that, but for a reserve center to be thrust into action last minute and flourish is eye opening. It's not like he was playing guard. He had to be in coordinator with Jameis Winston along with providing protection, and he excelled in both areas.

We all know how important a good offensive line is, and New York has not had one for well over a decade now. Last year, the Giants finally showed some signs of progress in that area thanks to their tackles, but they still needed work inside.

Mauigoa has certainly helped in that regard, as the 6-foot-6, 335-pound mauler out of Miami has aided in stabilizing the trenches. But Runyan and Schmitz are infinitely replaceable, and in terms of the latter, New York may have already found the answer.

The jury is obviously out on Hudson, who needs more than just one good game to prove that he is Big Blue's center of the future, but he may have done enough to earn a start over Schmitz against the Washington Commanders next week.