Gano has had back-to-back injury-plagued seasons
After two injury shortened seasons, one of the questions surrounding the 2025 New York Giants is whether they can — or should — rely on 38-year-old placekicker Graham Gano.
Special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial said Thursday morning that the way Gano finished the 2024 season makes him believe they can.
“His last three games I saw the Graham Gano that he holds himself to that standard, and then I saw him there, too. It was good to see him end the season in kicking form,” Ghobrial said. “And he’s looked good. Year 17, a guy that’s done it at a high level for a long time. There is a lot of respect that guy has just obviously entering the building and when you see the way he approaches the game.”
Gano played in just eight games in 2023 before undergoing season-ending knee surgery. In 2024, a hamstring injury suffered while trying to make a tackle on a kickoff return cost him seven games.
Gano made 9 of 11 field-goal attempts last season, including going 3 for 3 the final two weeks of the season. He made a 53-yarder in the season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Gano was considered a potential cap casualty earlier in the offseason. The Giants could save $4.415 million against the cap with only $1.125 million in dead money. At this point, the Giants don’t appear inclined to go that route.
Ghobrial, though, said that Jude McAtamney, who kicked in one game while spending the season the practice squad, could “absolutely” force a placekicking competition.
“I think if you’re on this roster, no matter what position you play, you’re competing. You’re competing to win the job,” Ghobrial said. “I think everybody will have a fair chance winning whatever job it is, whether it be the kicker position or any other position.
“But I would say that Jude has shown a lot of promise even from last year kicking in a game. You obviously see the leg talent, you see the leg strength, all those things that amount to being a good kicker in this league.”
Still, the job appears to be Gano’s to lose. Barring another long-term injury, he probably won’t.
