Giants' $54 million gamble is unraveling quicker than anyone expected
There was palpable excitement surrounding the New York Giants' revamped secondary ahead of the 2025 NFL campaign. Much of the anticipation stemmed from the team's offseason free-agent acquisitions, namely cornerback Paulson Adebo, though that optimism has proven more aspirational than anticipated.
Not only has Adebo's inaugural campaign with the Giants been marred by a knee injury, but he's also been ineffective when on the field. His contributions (or lack thereof) have not aligned with the three-year, $54 million contract the club signed him to this past March.
It's too early to press the panic button -- yet. However, the Giants' decision to pay Adebo a bunch of money, including $38.5 million in guarantees, hasn't aged well thus far.
Giants might already regret paying CB Paulson Adebo
Opponents have picked on Adebo this season. He's one of just 11 corners targeted at least 50 times through Week 10. For further context, the 26-year-old is notably the only one of the bunch to appear in fewer than nine games.
To be fair to the Giants' foes, actively seeking out Adebo hasn't come without good reason; it's been an effective strategy. He's allowed the seventh-most receptions (32) and 17th-most receiving yards (352) among players at his position. Again, this is with him three contests and change, meaning these numbers could be much higher.
Attacking Adebo hasn't just been fruitful, but it's also come with minimal repercussions. He's yet to record an interception and only has three pass breakups. For several reasons, like health and defensive coordinator Shane Bowen's well-chronicled shortcomings, his ball-hawking skills with the New Orleans Saints haven't translated to New York.
Many will look to Adebo leading all cornerbacks in tackles as a bright spot. Yet, part of why he's wrapping players up is because teams are willingly and successfully throwing the ball at him. In other words, a stat like this can serve as a double-edged sword.
Adebo's 52.2 overall Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade ranks 89th out of 108 qualified options, while his 51.1 mark in coverage comes in at 93rd. He's been slightly better against the run, albeit still at a below-average clip. No matter how you look at it, the Giants need more to justify making him the 13th-highest-paid corner by average annual value.
Alex Cora Delivers Game-Changing Update on Marcelo Mayer and Key Pitching Duo: ‘We’re Building a Championship Contender for the Future
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora has given an exciting update on the team's future, providing much-needed insight into the progress of top prospect Marcelo Mayer and the development of two key pitchers who are expected to play a critical role in the team’s future success.
In his latest address to the media, Cora discussed the growth and expected timelines for both Mayer, the highly-touted shortstop prospect, and the Red Sox’s dynamic pitching duo. Cora’s optimism was evident as he talked about how these players are integral to the team’s long-term goals.
"Mayer’s Development is on Track"
When asked about the progress of Marcelo Mayer, Cora expressed his confidence in the young shortstop, who has been a cornerstone of the Red Sox’s farm system. Mayer, who is considered one of the top prospects in baseball, has shown incredible promise both defensively and offensively.
“Marcelo’s development is right on track,” Cora said. “He’s been working tirelessly, and we’ve been really pleased with what we’ve seen from him. He’s got all the tools to be an elite player in this league. Right now, we’re focusing on getting him the right playing time and opportunities to continue growing, and we expect to see him in a Red Sox uniform soon.”
Mayer, who spent the majority of last season in the minors, is expected to be a key part of the Red Sox’s future, and Cora hinted that he could be called up in the near future depending on his continued progress.
"Pitching Depth Remains a Priority"
Cora also provided updates on two of the Red Sox’s key pitchers who are poised to lead the rotation in the coming years. Both pitchers, who have been crucial to the team’s success in the second half of the 2025 season, are being closely monitored as they continue their development. While Cora did not name them directly, he expressed strong confidence in their abilities.
“These pitchers have a lot of potential, and we’re excited about their future with the team,” Cora said. “We’ve seen flashes of brilliance from both of them, and we believe they’re on the right path. Our goal is to get them to a point where they can consistently be the anchors of our rotation.”
Cora mentioned that the team is focusing on refining their mechanics, endurance, and pitch selection, with the hope of unleashing their full potential over the next few seasons.
"Looking to the Future"
The Red Sox are clearly focused on building for long-term success, and the development of players like Mayer and the key pitchers is integral to that vision. Cora emphasized that while the team’s focus is on the present, they are also laying the groundwork for future seasons.
“We want to compete now, but we’re also looking at what’s coming down the line,” Cora said. “Marcelo and our pitchers are going to be central to what we’re doing moving forward. We’ve got a great foundation, and with the right development, we’ll be back in contention for championships very soon.”
With these updates, the Red Sox have provided fans with a glimpse of what the future holds, and there’s no doubt that with key players like Mayer and a talented pitching staff, the team is setting itself up for success in the years to come.
