Giants Release Veteran Kicker Graham Gano as Kicker Battle Continues

The New York Giants have released veteran kicker Graham Gano, opening up the competition for the starting kicker role.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 1:23am

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The New York Giants have released veteran kicker Graham Gano after six seasons with the team. Gano's inability to stay healthy last season, missing time due to a groin injury and later landing on injured reserve with a neck issue, led the Giants to move in a different direction. The team has signed free agent kicker Jason Sanders, who spent the last eight seasons with the Miami Dolphins, to compete for the starting job. However, the Giants still have Ben Sauls on the roster, so the kicker battle is far from decided.

Why it matters

The Giants' kicker position has been in flux over the past year, with the team using three different kickers in 2025 due to Gano's injuries. Settling on a reliable, consistent kicker will be crucial for the Giants as they look to improve on a disappointing 2025 season. The competition between Sanders and Sauls will be one to watch during training camp and the preseason.

The details

Gano, who ranks sixth on the Giants' all-time scoring list with 456 points, was released after missing significant time last season due to a groin injury and a neck issue that landed him on injured reserve. The Giants signed Jason Sanders in free agency, hoping the veteran kicker can provide stability at the position. However, the Giants still have Ben Sauls on the roster, so the kicker competition remains open. Sanders has made 84.6% of his career field goal attempts with a long of 57 yards, but he missed all of last season due to a hip injury. Sauls stepped in for the Giants late in 2025 and went 8-for-8 on field goal attempts.

  • Gano was released by the Giants on Sunday, March 30, 2026.
  • Sanders signed with the Giants in free agency prior to the 2026 season.

The players

Graham Gano

A veteran kicker who spent the last six seasons with the New York Giants, ranking sixth on the team's all-time scoring list with 456 points.

Jason Sanders

A free agent kicker who spent the last eight seasons with the Miami Dolphins and is now signed with the Giants to compete for the starting kicker role.

Ben Sauls

A kicker currently on the Giants' roster who stepped in late in the 2025 season and went 8-for-8 on field goal attempts.

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What they’re saying

“The Giants still have Ben Sauls on the roster, so there will still be a kicking battle. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Sauls knock off Sanders this summer.”

— Travis Wakeman, Author

What’s next

The Giants will hold an open competition between Jason Sanders and Ben Sauls during training camp and the preseason to determine their starting kicker for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Giants' kicker situation remains unsettled as the team moves on from veteran Graham Gano. The competition between free agent signing Jason Sanders and incumbent Ben Sauls will be one to watch closely, as the Giants look to find a reliable, consistent kicker to help them improve on a disappointing 2025 season.