The New York Giants have spent much of the offseason focused on reshaping their identity under new leadership, but one of the team’s most glaring issues from last season didn’t come from offense or defense — it came from special teams. Field position consistently worked against New York in 2025, putting added stress on both sides of the ball and turning manageable situations into uphill battles.
If the Giants are serious about fixing every phase of the game, one free-agent target makes almost too much sense: Baltimore Ravens punter Jordan Stout. With John Harbaugh and newly appointed special teams coordinator Chris Horton being familiar with Stout from their time in Baltimore, he would fit right in under the new regime in East Rutherford.
Jordan Stout Is Not Your Average Punter
Stout is coming off the best season of his career, earning First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors after being among the league’s top tier of punters in both gross and net average. He averaged over 50 yards per punt with a net average of nearly 45 yards, numbers that place him firmly among the NFL’s elite.
But the value isn’t just distance — it’s placement and control. Stout consistently pins opponents inside the 20, limits return lanes with strong hang time, and turns midfield punts into defensive advantages. A 4–6 yard difference in net average compared to league-average punters may not sound dramatic, but over the course of a game, that can equate to multiple first downs worth of field position.
For a Giants defense that has too often started drives on a short field, Stout’s leg would immediately change the math. Drives begin deeper. Riskier play-calling increases for opponents. The defense gets breathing room. That’s the ripple effect of an elite specialist.
Gillan’s Inconsistency is Hindering New York
Jamie Gillan, affectionately known as “The Scottish Hammer,” has had solid moments in New York. He’s been dependable and has provided energy to the unit, but his production has been inconsistent. His net average ranks 30th in the NFL at 38 yards per punt, while his gross average of 44.5 yards per punt ranks 23rd in the league.
Gillan also missed a few games due to an injury late last season, prompting Big Blue to sign insurance. In addition, Gillan’s punts have often either resulted in touchbacks or have invited long returns with low hang times. He struggles to pin opponents inside the 10-yard line, with inopportunistic shanks being alternated with touchbacks far too often.
Where Gillan’s punts often result in modest gains in field position, Stout’s punts routinely force opponents into long-field situations. That difference can determine whether an opposing offense needs two first downs to score or four. In tight NFL games, that matters more than almost any single hidden factor.
The Giants don’t necessarily have a punting “problem,” but they do have a chance to create a punting advantage — and that’s a rare opportunity.
The Financial Angle Makes This Move Even Smarter
Paying a punter premium money can feel unnecessary, but Stout’s market value remains reasonable for an All-Pro talent. Even if he commands a deal north of $3 million annually, the cost is minimal relative to the impact he brings.
In fact, moving on from Gillan could create cap flexibility that offsets much of Stout’s contract. According to Spotrac, cutting him before June 1st would result in New York eating approximately $2.1 million in dead money but free up over $1.1 million in cap space, which could be used towards paying Stout or another specialist.
Signing Jordan Stout wouldn’t dominate headlines like a star wide receiver or pass rusher, but it could quietly fix a problem that has lingered for years. Field position is one of football’s most underrated weapons, and the Giants have been losing that battle far too often.
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