Giants take a page out of Jets book by turning back to a familiar face

It's fair to say New York football has not been in the best place in recent history.

Since 2016, the New York Jets and New York Giants have accumulated a record of 49-116 and 55-109-1, respectively, ranking 25th and 24th in the NFL. Both teams have struggled to find sustained success.

Entering the 2026 season, both the Jets and Giants are turning to familiar faces to help spearhead a turnaround, with Gang Green turning back to 2013 draft pick Geno Smith to be their starting quarterback.

Now the Giants are turning back to an old friend to bring some stability to their wide receiver depth, as it was announced on Monday afternoon that Odell Beckham Jr. would be rejoining the team that drafted him.

New York football turning back the clock with familiar faces

Beckham, a 33-year-old veteran, hasn't played in New York since 2018. The Giants dealt him to the Cleveland Browns during the 2019 offseason.

It's a bit different of a reunion than the one the Jets are having with Smith. Beckham is purely a depth addition for the Giants.

If all goes well, he should be a complementary piece to the likes of a healthy Malik Nabers, Darnell Mooney, and Big Blue's two-headed tight end room of Theo Johnson and Isaiah Likely.

Smith is expected to do a lot more for the Jets in 2026. They brought him in to be their starting quarterback and a hopeful stabilizing force for the offense.

In another case of opposites, Smith's first tenure with the Jets was not as prominent as Odell's initial run with the Giants.

The G-Men selected Beckham with the 12th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and his first five years in New York were prolific to say the least.

As a Giant, Beckham hauled in 390 receptions for 5,476 yards and 44 touchdowns. He became the franchise's second all-time leading receiver, trailing only Amani Toomer.

Smith wasn't a great quarterback his first go-around with the Jets. He provided some exciting moments in his rookie season, but ultimately flamed out after an ill-timed locker room incident that cost him his starting job.

One thing both players are sharing, though, is the feeling that there is unfinished business with the teams that drafted them, and for the sake of New York football, hopefully, both teams can figure out a way to get back on track.

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