Giants Free Agency: What The Hell Just Happened?
Technically, the 2024 NFL free agency starts Wednesday, March 13. On Monday however, the legal tampering began which means deals in principle are announced. For the New York Giants it has been a wild experience so far. Let’s take a pause and review the good, the bad, and the surprising of what has happened so far.
Let’s start with the biggest media news.
Saquon Barkley
Technically, he may not be leaving New Jersey. As we now know, the face of the franchise will be joining the rival Philadelphia Eagles. It’s easy and fair to point the finger at #26 and wonder, how can he go to enemy territory? We’ll see Barkley twice a year, but as an Eagle? Wow.
However, here’s the most important fact. The Giants were not in the running: they were not willing to offer such a contract. So Barkley was not left with much of a choice when it came to leaving or staying. Sure, he could have gone more out of sight to — let’s say — the Houston Texans. Barkley has been asking for a contract similar to the one he got. Three years and $37.75 million.
This is a tough pill to swallow. The Giants were simply not willing to spend on Barkley. The Eagles were. What would you do?
The Giants Did Get Stronger
So, let the post-Barkley era begin. General Manager Joe Schoen has had a tall order since day one: getting the team out of contract and salary cap hell. Furthermore, the team’s foundation was a mess. This was still true last year after years of line rebuilding.
Non-flashy, but important steps were made to change this yesterday. No, none of these guys will wear #26 or be on your kid’s posters, but every Giants Super Bowl team dominated the line of scrimmage. Early yesterday, the team signed guard Jon Runyan Jr. Then, tackle Jermaine Eluemunor was also signed.
Running back Devin Singletary was signed by yesterday afternoon. I’d expect another back to be brought in to split time in the backfield. The draft (maybe Michigan’s Blake Corum) could also provide stability here.
Here Was The Giants Biggest Splash
Understandably, the Barkley news is the biggest part of the “What just happened with the Giants?” story. Shortly after the news broke of Barkley trading his blue jersey in for green, we started to hear rumblings that the Giants were rumored to be interested in trading for star defender Brian Burns. The next thing you know, the draft picks the team scored by trading Leonard Williams to Seattle last fall were shipped to Carolina, and Burns was a Giant.
Here is some perspective. In his five years, Burns has 46 sacks (8 last year). He’s just 25 years old. Burns will join a D-Line that already has Kayvon Thibodeaux and the Giants’ only Pro Bowler, Dexter Lawrence.
Here’s the point. The Giants’ line of scrimmage just got a whole lot better. The team saved $32 million a year by not resigning Saquon Barkley or safety Xavier McKinney. Instead, they reallocated their resources and put their money upfront in the trenches.
Now, defensively, their stars are all under the age of 27. Bobby Okereke 27, Lawrence 26, Burns 25, Thibodeaux 23, and last year’s first-round pick, Deonte Banks is also 23.
What Else?
The biggest question still remains: what’s going on at quarterback? We still don’t know. Often-injured Daniel Jones is heavily on the books still. After that, the next few weeks will answer the question: will they draft someone at #6? Will they trade for Justin Fields? Or will they do nothing? It’s a crucial decision in terms of the future of the franchise.
Regardless of who is taking snaps, there is hope now that some of the pieces are in place to actually block for the guy.
Redrafting Each Of The Giants First Round Picks The Past 5 Years
