If the Evan Neal Hype Train still has any passengers, we suggest waking them up and informing them that we’re in 2026.
Neal is still with the New York Giants, albeit as a backup guard on a one-year, minimum salary deal. The days of Neal, the No. 7 pick in 2022, even competing for a starting position are long behind — and his spot on the Giants’ Week 1 roster isn’t guaranteed, either.
The Athletic’s Dan Duggan omitted the guard from his projected 53-man roster earlier this week, not that anyone should be surprised ahead of training camp.
Evan Neal easily ranks among the Giants’ worst modern busts
Looking back, it’s fair to wonder if Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen properly evaluated Neal beyond what they saw on tape. He dominated SEC defenders while at Alabama, whether at either tackle spot or at right guard. He was a consensus top prospect, and understandably so.
But from the jump, it was clear that the young offensive lineman just didn’t fit in the New York market. Neal was mediocre at best as a rookie, and things only got worse from there.
He publicly sparred with fans, calling them “sheep” and telling them to “boo louder” during a 2023 loss. His jab at the “bandwagon” fans wasn’t exactly well-received, either. Someone should have introduced Neal to those who voluntarily chose to be Jets and Mets fans.
The trio of Neal, DeAndre Baker, and Kadarius Toney set the Giants back immensely. None had their fifth-year option picked up, and Neal barely qualifies as the only one who received a second contract.
We’re still unsure why Joe Schoen and John Harbaugh elected to bring Neal back, and the signing further confused us after the Giants later added Daniel Faalele, who played for Harbaugh in Baltimore.
If Neal’s purpose is to be a camp body, then at least he’s healthy and can fill that role. Maybe he can stick around on the practice squad, assuming the Giants believe he’s even worth that spot.
The only positive of Neal’s Giants tenure is that he started two playoff games — and if that number somehow increases to three come January, then there are serious conversations to be had. But for now, there are no signs of hope for the former first-round pick. Chalk this one up as an unfortunate Schoen whiff.
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