The New York Giants came to terms on six reserve/future contract signings on January 5, as ESPN NYG beat reporter Jordan Raanan and the NFL transaction log reported the news.
Raanan listed the Giants’ first round of reserve/future signings on X, naming them one by one: “LB Swayze Bozeman, TE Tanner Conner, OLB Trace Ford, OL Reid Holskey, CB Patrick McMorris, CB Myles Purchase.”
Of these prospects, Ford is probably the player who resonates most with fans. The promising undrafted rookie was a major riser throughout OTAs and training camp, but he ended up just missing the cut as the Giants reduced their roster to 53 men.
After initially joining the Big Blue practice squad, Ford was briefly released before re-signing to the practice squad again in November. He has yet to appear in a regular season game, but was popular among fans due to his potential.
At Oklahoma State and Oklahoma combined, Ford played in 58 games and made 16 starts, racking up 99 total tackles, 21 passes defensed, 19 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions.
Giants Bring Back Core Special Teamer & Several Recent Additions in Reserve/Future Signing News
As a reminder, according to Pro Football Network, a reserve/future contract is a “contract that secures an NFL player to a team for the future.” They do not count against the salary cap or roster restrictions until the start of the new league year in March.
Once a player agrees to a reserve/future signing, like the six Giants listed above, they are unable to negotiate with other teams unless they’re released by the organization.
So, along with Ford, Bozeman secures a spot on the 2026 90-man roster as well. The core special teamer and linebacker reserve actually suited up for six games with the Giants in 2025, unlike a lot of the names on this list.
He finished with 6 total tackles on 139 snaps (104 on special teams, 35 on defense).
The other reserve/future signings are all relatively new additions. McMorris is a former sixth-round pick of the Miami Dolphins, but he only joined the Giants in late December.
Similarly, another ex-Dolphin, Conner, first signed in mid-December. He was elevated for the Giants’ final game of the 2025 season, but did not play.
Purchase has seesawed on and off the NYG practice squad a couple of times, with his last contract coming on December 30, and Holskey has been with the Giants the longest out of the four.
The offensive line prospect did not spend the summer with Big Blue either, but he did join the organization in September, remaining with the Giants all season in a reserve role.
Giants OLB Trace Ford Is Stuck Behind a Logjam of Outside Linebackers
GettyNew York Giants outside linebacker prospect Trace Ford at Oklahoma.
One of the reasons Ford has yet to get an opportunity is the logjam of talent at outside linebacker.
Even with Kayvon Thibodeaux banged up down the stretch, the Giants still had Brian Burns, first-rounder Abdul Carter, veteran signings Chauncey Golston and Victor Dimukeje, and staff favorite and core special teamer Tomon Fox ahead of him on the depth chart at various points of the season.
That’s a tough unit to crack, but Ford will give it another go in 2026.
As of now, Dimukeje is an unrestricted free agent this spring, with Fox as a restricted free agent who is more likely to return. Either way, there could be some room for Ford to climb the depth chart, especially if a player like Thibodeaux is finally traded.
Giants Re-Sign Promising Rookie in First Flurry of Offseason Moves