Giants Stars Thomas, Okereke React to Captaincy

The biggest news of the New York Giants’ week came in the form of their cutdown to 53 players. But combatting the misfortune of that trim was New York’s leadership.

The team voted on its captains , as announced by head coach Brian Daboll on Tuesday. The Giants settled on five, compared to last year’s 10: quarterback Daniel Jones, offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, linebacker Bobby Okereke, and long snapper Casey Kreiter.

Shaped by last season’s disappointments and heavy roster turnover, New York’s leadership will look different in 2024 – although only Kreiter is getting an addition to his jersey.

Both Thomas and Okereke spoke on Tuesday about the honor bestowed upon them.

“I think for one, this year there is less captains,” Thomas said. “So, I think that holds a little bit more weight. Guys respect you a lot more. We brought a lot of other veteran guys along, even if they're not captains, that have done a good job on both sides of the ball, just being leaders and trying to get everybody on the same page.”

Of last year’s captains, only kicker Graham Gano is both on the team and without a “C” this time around. Leonard Williams was traded, Adoree’ Jackson, Saquon Barkley, and Xavier McKinney hit free agency, and Darren Waller retired.

Okereke doesn’t consider New York’s shrinking core of captains a factor in how meaningful the leadership position is.

“Not necessarily,” Okereke said. “Every year is a different year. Every team's a new team. I think the best fit for our team this year was the five captains. Great guys who have different leadership styles, different experiences and wisdom, and I think we'll do a great job.”

Last year, things went sideways. The Giants fell from a Divisional Round appearance to the No. 6 pick and played putrid football in the process.

But that disappointment hasn’t shaken the roster’s confidence in its captains. None of its selections were surprising, with top players earning the recognition of their peers and getting a tangible acknowledgement of the investment they have in others. Okereke is confident New York got it right.

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“I mean, just obviously coming off the 2022 season, having established leadership there and having a successful year, then bringing in free agents like me and Waller, it was kind of a room of a lot of leaders,” he added. “But with the departure of some guys, obviously Saquon , X aren't here.

“Just based off everything that's unfolded, it's kind of the right fit.”