After enduring a dismal 3-14 season in 2024, it’s clear that the New York Giants need to make significant changes. The organization has already decided to keep general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll for now, and it appears they will retain most of the coaching staff as well. So, what other moves could the Giants make to improve their chances for 2025?
On January 13, SNY insider Connor Hughes made a bold prediction: the Giants could trade star left tackle Andrew Thomas to the highest bidder. Hughes pointed out that Thomas is entering the third year of his five-year, $117 million extension, and moving him could help the Giants improve their financial flexibility as they look to rebuild.
Hughes acknowledged that ensuring a strong offensive line in 2025 is a top priority, and trading a talented player like Thomas would make that more difficult. However, he also noted that Thomas has missed 18 of 34 games since signing his extension, which could lead the Giants’ decision-makers to hesitate in relying on him as a cornerstone of the offensive line.
Although trading Thomas might seem outrageous on the surface—since he’s been one of the most impactful players when healthy—it’s worth noting that Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll didn’t draft him. In fact, Thomas is one of the few remaining veterans from the previous regime, and his long-term foot health, particularly after a Lisfranc injury, could be a concern for the current leadership. If a team is willing to take on the remaining portion of his contract and provide the Giants with additional draft capital, the trade could make sense.
However, trading Thomas would only work if the Giants have a clear plan to replace him. The financial benefits are evident, but finding a competent replacement would be challenging. Schoen has struggled to draft offensive linemen, so selecting a rookie tackle would carry significant risks. Another option could be moving former first-round pick Evan Neal to left tackle, his college position, but the opportunity to experiment with Neal there in 2024 was missed.
Ultimately, the most viable replacement might be signing a veteran free agent, though the Giants would need to find someone affordable enough to justify trading away a foundational player. If they can secure a durable free agent in March, the idea of trading Thomas could become much more feasible.
