Darius Muasau put up 106 tackles in his two seasons with the New York Giants, even racking up 18 starts, but he is already being called a "forgotten player" by a local reporter as training camp looms. It's a brutal reality in the NFL, especially when a team makes a sharp shift in philosophy, and it looks like Muasau is caught right in the crossfire.
The Giants' Linebacker Room Is Stacked and Changing Fast
The Giants have been loading up on linebackers, using three top-five draft picks for the position in the last four seasons. They even cut their 2025 leading tackler, Bobby Okereke, and brought back Micah McFadden, their 2024 top tackler, on a one-year deal. But it's not just about who's returning. The linebacker room is absolutely jammed with talent now, thanks to some serious new additions.
Those three high draft picks,Kayvon Thibodeaux, Abdul Carter, and Arvell Reese,are getting serious competition. The Giants landed big-ticket free agent Tremaine Edmunds, a former Pro Bowler, to start at middle linebacker and call the defensive signals. He is a huge addition. McFadden, who missed all of 2025 with a foot injury that required surgery, is back, but he's stepping into a suddenly very crowded room. Muasau, who started last season when McFadden went down, even got his first NFL interception in his first game, but then an ankle injury limited him to just 12 games. Now, with all these new faces, Muasau is starting camp way down the depth chart.
New Coach, New Profile: Muasau Doesn't Fit the Mold
New York Post Giants reporter Paul Schwartz wasn't shy about it, listing Muasau as a guy who will struggle to find a role in 2026. While that might feel a bit unfair for a "try-hard plugger" who gives his all, the facts are clear. Muasau, a 2024 sixth-round pick, has 106 tackles and only five tackles for loss in his 27 games. The big issue? His size. New head coach John Harbaugh wants big guys in his defense, and he definitely went out and got them.
The inside linebacker position was restocked with two massive athletes: the veteran Tremaine Edmunds and rookie Arvell Reese. Both of them stand 6-foot-4, with Edmunds weighing 251 pounds and Reese at 243. Muasau, at 6-feet and 234 pounds, simply cannot stack up to that profile. Add in the return of McFadden and the drafting of BYU's Jack Kelly in the sixth round, and Muasau's path to a roster spot looks incredibly tough. It's a tough break, but the NFL moves fast.
As the Giants gear up for training camp, Muasau is battling for his career. They kick off their regular season against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, September 13. Will Muasau even be on the field for that primetime game?
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.