Two shocking omissions stand out from the Giants 2025 captains - New York announced five leaders that will rep the team

The two notable omissions are the biggest stars of the team and the most important offensive players: offensive tackle Andrew Thomas and wide receiver Malik Nabers. While it's not a red flag that neither of those players was chosen as a captain, it does seem odd that at least one of them didn't get the nod.

According to Dan Salomone of Giants.com, the voting was conducted by the players, who ranked their teammates from one to five in terms of who they considered the most deserving. The team made this decision collectively and wasn't hand-picked by the coaching staff.

Most of the selections for captains have a strong argument for why they deserve it. Lawrence is one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL and is often deemed the face of the team. In Burns' second year with the Giants, it makes sense that he's established himself as someone to lead by example. Middle linebackers are often viewed as the quarterbacks of a defense, so Okereke's presence is more than justified. Wilson being a captain is fine considering he'll be the team's quarterback for Week 1, but it never feels right when a newcomer is selected.

Slayton is the one who feels the strangest. Understandably, Slayton is entering his seventh year with the franchise, so he's a recognizable face. But for him to be picked over Nabers doesn't feel right. Nabers was one of the best rookie receivers the Giants have ever had and will be the primary target in this offense. Any offensive production will flow through him. And there's a very realistic chance that Nabers emerges as a top receiver in the NFL in 2025. Production doesn't necessarily translate to leadership, but he should consider a player to rally around.

Additionally, Thomas is the only reliable building block that the Giants have on their offensive line. One would think it would be essential to have a representative of a unit that could make or break their season. It's even stranger when one recalls that Thomas was a captain in 2024. Has something changed over the course of a year, or have other team members emerged as better leaders?

Who a team picks as captains has no bearing on the dynamics of the locker room. It shouldn't worry Giants fans that their best offensive lineman and best offensive weapon weren't deemed worthy of being captains by their teammates. However, it certainly raises eyebrows.