Report: Fights break out during New York Giants OTAs

The New York Giants had some excitement during the Thursday OTA practice as four players were involved in fights. According to multiple reports, offensive lineman James Hudson and edge rusher Brian Burns shoved each other and squared up to fight before teammates and coaches separated them. One play later, edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux swung at offensive Jermaine Eluemunor, leading to both sidelines getting involved.

Hudson grabbed Thibodeaux, which led to Burns tackling Hudson before things finally calmed down. This was not a good look for the Giants and could be punished by the NFL since OTA practices don’t allow players to have physical contact.

After practice, Burns was asked about the fight. “Heat got to us,” he said, per Dan Benton of Giants Wire. “It ain’t that deep. We squashed it.”

New Giants quarterback Russell Wilson also said that fighting wasn’t that serious. “Competitive part of practice,” Wilson said. “Things happen.”

Can the New York Giants turn things around in 2025?

Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux are expected to do big things for the Giants’ defense in 2025. Before the 2024 season, Burns was traded to the Giants from the Carolina Panthers and recorded 8.5 sacks last fall. Thibodeaux played in 12 games in 2024 and notched 5.5 sacks.

James Hudson signed a two-year contract with the Giants in March after spending his first four seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Jermaine Eluemunor is entering his second year in New York and has been in the NFL since 2017 when he was selected in the fifth round by the Baltimore Ravens.

The Giants are looking to bounce back from a tough 2024 season. The team finished with a 3-14 record, leading them to sign Wilson and drafting former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart.

In late May, Giants head coach Brian Daboll talked about having former Giants players talk to the team. “Obviously a lot of legends that have played the game for this organization and tremendous football players in the National Football League, and I have a good relationship with a lot of those guys throughout my time here and they’re willing to come in and talk to those young guys,” he said, per the Giants’ official website. “I think it’s beneficial for them.”