March 10, 2026, 7:01 a.m. ET

Chris Manhertz’s return to the New York Giants is special for the veteran tight end.

Speaking to The Athletic’s Ian O’Connor, Manhertz revealed how much he is looking forward to playing for the Giants again in 2026.

“It means the world to me,” Manhertz said. “It’s something I don’t take for granted, being a hometown kid playing in front of family and friends. You can’t put a dollar amount on that. I want to be part of something special here. I want to be a piece of the solution.

“Coach Harbaugh has brought energy, juice, enthusiasm, and a seriousness about what it takes to win, and having that type of mindset permeates throughout the whole building. Usually, I’m training at the facility at 4:30, 5:00 in the morning, and right there with me is Coach Harbaugh, which says a lot about his mentality and the level of discipline he wants throughout the locker room. There’s a lot to be excited about.”

Manhertz played his second season with the Giants in 2025. The 33-year-old started three of the 17 games he appeared in last season, after starting 11 games for New York in 2024.

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The New York native has carved out a 12-year career in the NFL to date. Manhertz has been lauded for his blocking at the position—an area of the game he values highly as a low-volume pass-catcher, as he told Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post in July 2025.

The Giants valued his contributions, re-signing him to a one-year deal in free agency on Monday. Now, Manhertz will get the opportunity to help the Giants improve upon their 4-13 record from 2025 next season.