In a move that surprised many, New York Giants Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas has left the team and rejoined the New Orleans Saints in the same capacity. Thomas initially joined the Giants last offseason after spending nearly a decade with the Saints, where he developed a strong rapport with the running backs. His departure marks the latest in a series of coaching changes for the Giants, with Thomas becoming the seventh coach to leave the team this year.
Thomas was brought in to the Giants last year as part of Head Coach Brian Daboll’s effort to stabilize the running backs position. However, the team’s running back corps was not as consistent as hoped, and Thomas’ brief tenure in New York now adds to the instability in the coaching staff. His exit to rejoin the Saints signals a return to familiar territory, where he had enjoyed significant success before moving to New York.
The departure of Thomas is notable because he was the third running backs coach in as many seasons under Daboll, following DeAndre Smith and Jeff Nixon. The Giants are now tasked with finding a fourth coach for the position in just as many years. The timing of Thomas’ exit may add to the sense of instability within the organization, as the team is already dealing with other coaching departures, including defensive passing game coordinator Jerome Henderson and safeties coach Mike Treier.
Along with Thomas’ departure, the Giants have continued to make moves to shape their roster. In an effort to strengthen their depth, they have signed two players from the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad to reserve/future contracts: wide receiver Montrell Washington and cornerback Nic Jones. These moves reflect the Giants’ continued evaluation of talent and their push to develop younger players.
Montrell Washington, a 25-year-old wide receiver, was originally drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 5th round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In his rookie year, Washington played in 15 games, starting one, but struggled to make a major impact on offense, catching only four passes for two yards. However, he has proven himself as a valuable special teams player, serving as a kickoff and punt returner. The Broncos waived him in August 2023, and he was subsequently signed by the Chiefs to their practice squad.
During his two seasons with Kansas City, Washington appeared in seven regular-season games, primarily contributing on special teams. He played a minimal role on offense, seeing just seven snaps, but the Chiefs clearly valued his skillset on kick and punt returns. Now, as he transitions to the Giants, Washington will look to carve out a more substantial role in both the special teams unit and possibly the receiver corps.
Nic Jones, a 23-year-old cornerback, was drafted in the 7th round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Chiefs. Jones, who stands at 6’0” and weighs 189 pounds, has been used sparingly in his first two seasons. He has appeared in 10 games without starting any, recording four tackles. Nine of those games came during the 2023 season, and although he has not seen significant action, the Giants will likely use him as a depth piece in their secondary.
Jones will have a chance to prove himself as part of the Giants’ defense, and his presence on the team adds to the organization’s growing emphasis on developing young defensive talent. With the Giants’ secondary in need of reinforcements, Jones’ size and physicality could give him an opportunity to contribute in the coming seasons.
Both Washington and Jones represent the Giants’ ongoing efforts to improve their roster by adding youth and depth to key positions. These moves may signal a shift towards prioritizing special teams play and defense, areas in which the Giants have seen inconsistent results in recent seasons. Washington’s experience on special teams and Jones’ potential in the secondary will be essential as the team looks to round out its roster for the future.
The Giants have faced some challenges in recent years, particularly when it comes to maintaining consistency within the coaching staff. The team has now lost seven coaches in a relatively short period, a trend that may raise questions about leadership stability and team culture. As the Giants continue to adjust their staff and roster, the success of these moves will ultimately determine whether the organization can build a more consistent and competitive team moving forward.
While the Giants still have time to address their coaching and roster needs, Thomas’ departure and the addition of Washington and Jones show that the team is not standing still. The moves are part of an ongoing evaluation process as the Giants try to build a team capable of contending for the playoffs and eventually competing for championships. Stability in both the coaching ranks and player personnel will be key factors in the team’s future success.
As the offseason continues, the Giants will need to navigate these changes while focusing on player development and roster improvements. The signing of Washington and Jones is just the latest step in their ongoing efforts to strengthen the team, and it remains to be seen how these moves will pay off in the coming seasons. With a reshuffled coaching staff and new roster additions, the Giants will look to build a more cohesive and competitive squad as they approach the 2025 season.
The team’s ability to handle these transitions and ensure continued progress will be critical to their future success. If the Giants can effectively integrate new coaches, like whoever replaces Joel Thomas, and develop players like Washington and Jones, they may be on track to finally regain their competitive edge in the NFC. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the Giants can turn the page on a tumultuous period and begin to build a more stable and successful future.