New York Giants Player Must Make Permanent Switch to Save His Career

The New York Giants are absolutely loaded with talent in their front seven, especially in terms of their pass rush with Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Arvell Reese all patrolling the field.

Yes, Reese will likely play off-ball linebacker during his rookie campaign, but let's be real: the Giants will be using him as a defensive chess piece and could line up him on the edge in certain situations.

You know who that's really bad news for? Chauncey Golston.

New York signed Golston to a three-year, $18 million contract in free agency last March. It was viewed as a good deal at the time, as Golston was coming off of an impressive 2024 campaign in which he registered 56 tackles and 5.5 sacks with the Dallas Cowboys.

However, Golston barely saw the field during his debut season with the Giants. Injuries played a role, but he was also buried on the depth chart and didn't actually get an opportunity until Thibodeaux was sidelined due to a shoulder issue down the stretch.

Golston actually played pretty well when the opportunity presented itself late last season, but you do have to wonder just how many snaps he will get in 2026.

That's why Golston — who is listed as an edge rusher — may have to make a permanent change to save his career: move inside.

At 6-foot-5, 277 pounds, the 28-year-old absolutely has the size to be a 3-tech. He has played inside some in the past, so we know he can handle it. But he may have to move there for good. At least for as long as he is in New York.

Golston would absolutely have a chance for more playing time with this quasi-position switch, as the Giants may want to have him on the interior on pass-rushing downs.

Remember: New York traded Dexter Lawrence just before the NFL Draft. It picked up Bobby Jamison-Travis in the sixth round and then signed DJ Reader and Shelby Harris in free agency, but all three of those defensive tackles are run stoppers; none of them get to the quarterback.

That's where Golston could come in and potentially wreak some havoc in sets that also include Burns, Carter, Thibodeaux and Reese all on the field at once.

Golston is far from an elite pass rusher. He only had eight quarterback hits in his best year. But when you put him alongside of the edges the Giants have, it could absolutely free him up for some sacks.

New York will have to try and find some way to make use of Golston. He carries a $6.9 million cap hit for 2026, and while that certainly isn't overwhelming, it's a lot for a player to simply ride the bench.

We'll see if John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson can devise any creative ways to work Golston into the rotation.

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