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Giants Set to Release Veteran Kicker Graham Gano
Injury-plagued final seasons lead to Giants' decision to part ways with longtime kicker.
Mar. 30, 2026 at 12:50am
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The New York Giants are reportedly set to release veteran kicker Graham Gano in the coming days. Gano originally signed with the Giants in 2020 after spending seven seasons with the Carolina Panthers, but injuries began to take a toll in 2023 after he had signed a three-year contract extension. Gano's injury-plagued 2025 season, which included a neck injury requiring season-ending surgery, led the Giants to search for more reliable kicking options, including undrafted rookie Ben Sauls and former Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders.
Why it matters
Gano had been a reliable kicker for the Giants early in his tenure, but his injury issues in recent seasons forced the team to explore other options at the position. This move will save the Giants $4.5 million in cap space, though they will still take a $1.25 million dead-money hit.
The details
Gano originally signed with the Giants as a free agent in 2020 after spending seven seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He was clutch early on, missing just one game in his first three seasons and twice topping the 90% mark on field goal conversions. However, injuries began to take their toll starting in 2023, just after he had signed a three-year, $165 million contract extension. Gano suffered a knee injury that required surgery, limiting him to just eight games that year and resulting in a 64.7% field goal conversion rate. He would be plagued by injuries the next two seasons as well, dealing with hamstring and groin issues.
- Gano signed a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Giants in September 2023.
- Gano suffered a knee injury in 2023 that required surgery and limited him to just eight games.
- Gano dealt with a hamstring issue in 2024 that landed him on injured reserve.
- Gano suffered a groin issue during pregame warmups in Week 3 of the 2025 season.
- Gano underwent season-ending neck surgery in 2025 after being struck down with the injury.
The players
Graham Gano
A veteran kicker who spent seven seasons with the Carolina Panthers before signing with the Giants in 2020. He was a reliable kicker early on but was plagued by injuries in his final seasons with the team.
Ben Sauls
An undrafted rookie free agent kicker from the University of Pittsburgh who joined the Giants and helped provide some stability at the position after Gano's injury issues.
Jason Sanders
A former kicker for the Miami Dolphins who the Giants signed to compete with Sauls for the kicking job this upcoming season.
What’s next
The Giants will hold an open competition between Ben Sauls and Jason Sanders for the kicking job during training camp this summer.
The takeaway
The Giants' decision to release Graham Gano highlights the challenges of relying on veteran kickers, as injuries can quickly derail a player's career. The team will now look to its younger options, Sauls and Sanders, to provide more stability at the position going forward.
