New York Giants at least three years out from contention, says ESPN

New York Giants, Austin Mack
Oct 18, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) and wide receiver Austin Mack (81) look up at the stadium video screen during a replay review during the second half against the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Winning a Super Bowl is the goal that every team in the NFL has. And after some dark years, the New York Giants might be on the right path. According to ESPN, they could be in the mix around three years out based on the way things are going right now. That assessment came in a ranking of every team in the league and their hopes for the Super Bowl.

Last Super Bowl appearance: 2011
2020 FPI rank: No. 26

Strategy for becoming a Super Bowl contender: Keep building piece by piece. The Giants believe they established a strong foundation and culture last year in coach Joe Judge’s first season. Team owner John Mara said he saw “progress.” Now it’s about adding big pieces to supplement an improving defense (a top edge rusher) and admittedly finding playmakers (No. 1 receiver) to help quarterback Daniel Jones and the offense. Still a ways to go.

Three years is longer than Giants fans would want but it could be far worse than it is right now. Under Pat Shurmur, it seemed like the Giants were much further removed from contending and many comparisons were invoked with franchises like the Browns or the Raiders. There was little confidence in the organization all around, which was changed in one year of better coaching and good free agency additions.

The list names Daniel Jones as the biggest X factor for the Giants and claims that they don’t have a chance if he doesn’t take a big step forward. Jones right now is middling when compared to other QBs statistically, and has some of the worst turnover numbers in the league.

But the fact that the Giants are in a position to start winning and move into contention at all with some better quarterback play shows their improvement. After all, they have far from the worst QB situation in the league and many believed before Daniel Jones was drafted that they would draw another parallel with the Browns when it comes to looking for their new starting quarterback.