The New York Giants held their first of three mandatory minicamp workouts on Monday at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center adjacent to MetLife Stadium.
It was John Harbaugh’s first workout as head coach of Big Blue, and there was no shortage of famous onlookers, including co-owners John and Chris Mara, former Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott, and Giants Hall of Fame linebackers Harry Carson and Lawrence Taylor.
Taking in practice on Monday: Legends Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson. Just your typical day at Giants minicamp practice. pic.twitter.com/JbrI6aGT97
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) June 8, 2026
Harbaugh said after practice that he had never met either Giants legend before today and was “starstruck” at lunch. He took a post-practice photo with the duo after they broke down the huddle to close out practice.
“It was a really great day. We had a beautiful day,” said Harbaugh. “Two of the greatest linebackers ever in the history of the game talking to the guys after practice. That was something. That was special. They had some good wisdom for the guys, good football wisdom.”
Former Bills coach Sean McDermott is taking in today’s Giants minicamp practice with Joe Schoen and John Mara.
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) June 8, 2026
McDermott, who was let go by the Bills after last season, is a long-time associate of Harbaugh’s. The two served as assistants under head coach Andy Reid in Philadelphia from 2001-2007.
“He’s going to be here [Tuesday], too, and having Sean visit for a couple days, talk football with, and all those things has been great,” Harbaugh said. “Sean and I go back a long way, go back to the Eagles. He was there when I was there together, and it’s just great. I can’t wait to hear his thoughts on practice and what he thought of the guys and the players and all those things, the schemes, things like that. Just get his two cents.”
Is it possible he could be taking on an advisory role for the Giants this year, as Robert Saleh did with Green Bay a few years back?
There was a lot of focus on the wide receiver group with Malik Nabers (knee) and Darius Slayton (sports hernia) sitting out and a slew of newly signed veterans in camp, such as Odell Beckham Jr., Juju Smith-Schuster, and Braxton Berrios. They spent the day getting used to quarterbacks Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston.
“We stocked the room with as much competition as we could.”
— John Harbaugh on the Giants’ wide receiver group. pic.twitter.com/Zx8pinlelv
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) June 8, 2026
Running back Cam Skattebo, who is rehabbing from the ghastly ankle injury he suffered last October, was out on the field but working only in light drills. He has been barking about being ready for training camp, but the Giants are not taking any chances and sticking to the timeline.
“He was telling me today, and the trainer told me, too, that he was going to get some plays in group and plays in team, and I was like, that’s where you want him to be,” said Harbaugh. “He’s worked super hard, super hard. I did mention maybe no back flips out here today. We agreed.”
Cam Skattebo taking handoffs at Mini Camp
Via @SNYGiantspic.twitter.com/e9MTOJkqJh
— Giants Nation Show (@GiantsNationPod) June 8, 2026
There is certainly a different vibe at the facility with Harbaugh at the helm. It’s all business with team unity as the theme. Harbaugh set the tone with a classic tune from the 1970s.
Players talk about John Harbaugh’s “messaging” in terms of his coaching tactics.
Like today’s team meeting to begin final week of offseason program, Harbaugh played Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” – and started practice with it, too.
Message: Be ready. September’s coming.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) June 8, 2026
The Giants practiced from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. on Monday and will do the same on Tuesday. Wednesday will be a shorter day, with just an hour-and-fifteen-minute workout in the morning.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants old and new converged on Day 1 of minicamp
