It's the question on everyone's mind, but Jevón Holland didn't ask it.

"My job as a defender is to give the ball back to the quarterback," the former Dolphins safety said in his first interview since signing with the Giants.

Paulson Adebo, a cornerback who spent his first four seasons in New Orleans, didn't make it a prerequisite either. He is more concerned with keeping his eyes on the opposing quarterback.

"I just got here, figuring out how I can help the team," he said. "And then I'll let whoever has to make those decisions handle those. But I'm excited and confident that we'll make a good decision."

In the meantime, the two defensive backs from the south came up north to join forces in a revamped secondary.

While the Giants led the league in sacks for a good portion of last season, it went through an 11-game drought without an interception. The unit closed with three in the final three weeks, but their five total interceptions were 31^st in the league. Their 60 passes defensed were tied for 25^th.

The team is looking to turn things around in 2025.

Brian Daboll hired a new secondary coach/pass game coordinator (Marquand Manuel) and cornerbacks coach (Jeff Burris) to serve under coordinator Shane Bowen, who enters his second season with the Giants. Adebo and Holland are here to help.

Adebo, a third-round pick out of Oregon, has started 51 of 52 games in four seasons. His career numbers include 251 total tackles, 43 passes defensed, 10 interceptions, seven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.

"I feel like I can play man or zone," Adebo said. "In New Orleans we did play a lot of man, bump-and-run coverage. But I feel comfortable playing in a zone scheme. Did that in college a lot. I really feel good either way."

In 2023, Adebo had a career year statistically with 76 tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. His 18 passes defensed were also third-most in the league that season.

He carried that over to 2024, when he had three interceptions in his just seven, but that ended when he suffered a broken femur.

"I'm doing really good," Adebo said. "Been running, sprinting, changing directions, doing everything and really practicing to be able to be ready when the activities start."

Will he be ready for spring? The offseason workout program begins April 21.

"Pretty much," he responded. "I've been doing everything, changing directions and stuff. Just kind of taking it day by day, but I feel really positive about that."

Adebo wasn't "too worried" about the injury disrupting his value on the free agent market. Putting out videos of him doing backflips will do that.

"You know, I feel like that was a cherry on top for sure," he said.

Adebo didn't recruit Holland, but they go back to their days in the Pac-12, with the former at Stanford and the latter at Oregon.

"He's a great player," Adebo said of Holland. "I followed him throughout his career. That was exciting to see that he would be coming as well. We've always communicated on the phone and stuff, Instagram. That was cool that he was going to be here too."

Holland also brings over four years of starting experience. He was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team in 2021, when he was picked in the second round (36^th overall). He has five career interceptions, one of which he returned 99 yards for a touchdown.

"I think the Giants and the people that they've brought in and the people that they have a desire to breed excellence," Holland said. "I think this environment is something that will allow me to be that, to grow. I absolutely think there's plenty of room left to grow. I'm nowhere near my peak. I think the Giants have the exact environment I need and the personnel I need to be able to reach those new heights and as well lead a group of men and also create a winning culture. And the Giants have a history of a winning culture. I feel like it was the right choice."

Holland and Adebo won't be complete strangers in the locker room, both having a former college teammate to show them around. Holland played with Kayvon Thibodeaux with the Ducks, and Adebo goes back with Bobby Okereke to their days with the Cardinal.

"It's going to be fun," Holland said of Thibodeaux. "Every time we're around each other it's always laughs. I'm really looking forward to running that back just like it was in 2019 in Oregon."

"Bobby was like my O.G. when I came in at Stanford," Adebo said. "We've got a real good relationship. We hang out. We talk football. Talk about ways to better ourselves on the field. That was a good relationship for me to have coming into this organization."

Now they will be the veterans bringing along a young secondary, which includes cornerback Deonte Banks (entering his third season), safety Tyler Nubin (second) and nickel cornerback Dru Phillips (second).

"I know [Banks] is a big, fast, strong, physical corner," Adebo said. "I like a lot of things that he does. Very explosive. Very athletic. So, I'm happy to be able to come in and work with him."

"[Nubin is] a good, talented kid," Holland said. "Talked to him. Great spirit. Full of life. Excited to play next to him, and help him grow, just like I was when I was younger. I hope to be that same vet to help him take off."