Now he is coaching second-year starter Sam Darnold, who threw for 2,865 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, but managed a scant 6.1 yards per attempt. With a new receiving and rushing threat in Bell, the field should open up for Darnold to throw downfield.

Can any Giants receiver help fill Odell’s shoes?

The Giants front office stunningly traded Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns in March after he stirred up drama expressing his frustration with Manning last season. Beckham had 390 receptions for 5,476 yards and 44 touchdowns in his five seasons.

The Giants signed Golden Tate, a 10-year veteran, in March, hoping he would be able to contribute right away. However, he has been suspended for the first four games of the season for using a drug prescribed for fertility planning, which violated the N.F.L.’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. The Giants will now rely heavily on Sterling Shepard, who only recently returned from a broken thumb, until Tate is reinstated.

Jets kicking drama

It’s been six months of constant change, but the Jets seem to finally have their kicker in Kaare Vedvik, who was claimed off waivers from the Vikings on Sept. 1. Vedvik played for the Ravens in 2018 and was traded to the Vikings after the season ended. The Vikings released him after he made only one of four field goal attempts in the first two preseason games.

It’s been a carousel for the Jets since Pro Bowler Jason Myers left the team as a free agent in March. The Jets then signed Chandler Catanzaro, but he retired after the first preseason game, and Taylor Bertolet, who the team waived after signing Vedvik.

High hopes for Dexter Lawrence

Last season, the Giants recorded only 30 sacks, the second-lowest number in the N.F.L. They drafted tackle Lawrence 17th overall out of Clemson, where he slid in at multiple spots on the defensive line. At 342-pounds, Lawrence’s impressive athleticism has been on display during the preseason. He’ll team up with Dalvin Tomlinson and B.J. Hill on the defensive line.

Jets’ Defensive Depth

Williams has a solid set of starters to play with in his first year as defensive coordinator, but beyond that, the Jets lack depth, especially in the secondary. Cornerback Trumaine Johnson has been limited in practice since hurting his hamstring. Safety Marcus Maye returned in mid-August from a season-ending shoulder injury he suffered last year. He only played in one preseason game. The options to replace them are limited and that could be a major problem for a team that gave up the eighth-most yards per game (380.4) in the N.F.L. last season.