Jets and Giants suddenly locked in practice squad war after roster cuts

The New York Jets and Giants may share a stadium, but their rivalry hasn’t always been at the forefront of fans' minds in recent years. With few meaningful games between the two sides, the animosity has often taken a back seat.

But that tension flared up again this week, not on the field, but on the margins of the roster. Following final roster cuts, the two New York teams suddenly find themselves locked in what feels like a mini-practice squad war.

The Jets signed 2025 Giants seventh-round pick Korie Black to their practice squad on Thursday, providing the team with a little extra cornerback depth. Black was waived by the Giants this week and was expected to re-sign with their practice squad once he cleared waivers. Instead, he chose the Jets.

Just one day later, the Giants have now signed former Jets linebacker Zaire Barnes to their practice squad. Barnes was also waived by the Jets earlier this week and was considered a candidate to return before the Giants scooped him up.

Jets and Giants swap practice squad heists with Korie Black and Zaire Barnes

Black is the more notable player of the two, having been a part of the Giants' 2025 draft class just a few months ago. While he was ultimately selected in the seventh round, multiple draft analysts — including The Athletic's Dane Brugler — had as high as a fifth-round grade on him.

A three-year starter at Oklahoma State, Black is a tall, physical cornerback who impressed at minicamp for the Giants this spring before missing most of the summer due to injury.

Black initially made the Giants' 53-man roster but was let go shortly after as the team added multiple players via waivers. The Giants reportedly waived Black with the understanding that he would re-sign to their practice squad later in the week.

Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reported that "the Giants were taken aback by Black trading blue for green, given that Black knew he was going to be able to sign back with the Giants." He also noted that there was no difference in the money. Black simply chose the Jets instead.

Barnes found himself in a similar position to Black, as a surprise member of the Jets' initial 53-man roster. He'd also be let go the following day after the Jets claimed former Kansas City Chiefs special-teams standout Cam Jones off waivers.

It’s unclear if the Jets planned to re-sign Barnes to their practice squad, but the team did bring back the other two players they released — wide receiver Tyler Johnson and offensive guard Marquis Hayes.

The end result is a rare practice squad skirmish that saw both New York teams lose a player they might've hoped to keep. The Jets poached a rookie cornerback the Giants wanted back, while the Giants turned around and scooped up one of the Jets' depth linebackers.

It’s hardly the type of move that will shift the balance of power in New York football, but it does add another wrinkle to the Jets–Giants rivalry. For two franchises still trying to climb out of the NFL’s basement, even the practice squad has apparently become a battleground.

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