The New York Giants closed their 2026 preseason with a convincing 23-6 victory over the New York Jets, finishing 2-1 under new head coach John Harbaugh.
Friday's game also gave several players one final opportunity to make their case before the Giants had to reduce the roster to 53 players.
Giants finish preseason with a winning record
New York controlled most of the game after the Jets scored on their opening offensive possession. The Giants defense shut out New York for the remainder of the game while the offense created enough opportunities to build a comfortable lead.
Undrafted rookie Dominic Zvada made three field goals, including a 53-yarder, while Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Xavier Gipson scored touchdowns.
The victory gave the Giants a 2-1 preseason record, a positive result before the team's attention shifts entirely toward the regular season.
Tyrone Tracy responds in backfield competition
Tyrone Tracy Jr. took advantage of his opportunities and finished with 37 rushing yards and a touchdown on four carries before being evaluated for a possible concussion.
Tracy was cleared to return after the medical evaluation, another positive development for New York. His performance came at an important time as the competition for backfield roles remains one of the roster's key storylines.
The arrival of Najee Harris has added another layer to that competition. The former Steelers running back made his Giants preseason debut and finished with 39 rushing yards on 11 carries, along with a 20-yard reception.
Najee Harris returns to competition after injury
Harris had not played in a game since suffering a torn Achilles during the previous season. His debut with New York was one of the most anticipated storylines of the game.
The running back showed that he can still provide power to the offense and contributed an important play in the passing game. His recovery will remain one of the areas the Giants monitor over the coming weeks.
With Harris, Tracy and the rest of the group, New York has several options for distributing responsibilities during the regular season.
Odell Beckham Jr. raises expectations again
Odell Beckham Jr. also delivered a performance that could help his chances of remaining on the roster. The veteran receiver caught three passes for 53 yards, averaging 17.7 yards per reception.
Beckham also had an opportunity for a much longer reception, but the pass was not completed. Even so, his performance showed that he can still create explosive plays.
The competition for receiver spots became even more important after Calvin Austin III was placed on injured reserve with a torn ACL.
Jaxson Dart did not play
John Harbaugh chose to rest Jaxson Dart in the preseason finale. Jameis Winston started at quarterback before Brandon Allen and Jake Haener also saw action.
Winston completed four of nine passes for 64 yards and threw an interception on a play where the ball bounced off Beckham's hands.
Resting Dart reflected the team's focus on the regular season. The Giants open their campaign on Sept. 13 against the Dallas Cowboys.
What's next for the Giants?
The victory over the Jets closes the preseason and begins the most difficult part of the immediate schedule: finalizing the 53-man roster.
The Giants must make decisions across nearly every position and select the players they believe can contribute throughout the regular season.
The performances from Tracy, Harris, Beckham and other players competing for roster spots will factor into those decisions. For Harbaugh, the victory also provides an opportunity to finish his first preseason in New York with a positive evaluation.
Now the objective changes. The Giants no longer need to prepare for another exhibition game. They need to build the final roster that will face Dallas in Week 1.