With a tumultuous 2024 campaign behind them, the New York Giants should start thinking about what they will do this offseason to improve. The Giants will have general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll back for the 2025 season, so they must start building chemistry and bringing in the right players.
The Giants will have a lot of work to do after finishing 3-14, putting them in position to pick third in the NFL Draft. The priority will be to address the quarterback position in the first round, but the Giants could go in a different direction if they miss out on the prospect they believe fits best.
Before the NFL Draft, Joe Schoen and the G-Men must evaluate their positional needs in free agency. According to Spotrac, the Giants have 17 players who are set to become free agents this offseason, so it will be interesting to see if they decide to retain any of their players on expiring contracts or let several players walk after arguably the worst season in franchise history.
According to Over The Cap, the Giants will have approximately $53.5 million in salary cap space and $38 million in effective salary cap, which ranks 15th among all NFL teams.
Full list of Giants players set to become free agents
Player | Position | Age |
|---|---|---|
Darius Slayton | WR | 27 |
Isaiah Simmons | LB | 26 |
Drew Lock | QB | 28 |
Jamie Gillan | P | 27 |
Greg Van Roten | OG | 34 |
Adoree' Jackson | CB | 29 |
Azeez Ojulari | LB | 24 |
Casey Kreiter | LS | 34 |
Chris Manhertz | TE | 32 |
Matthew Adams | LB | 29 |
Gunner Olszewski | WR | 28 |
Aaron Stinnie | OG | 30 |
Elijah Riley | CB | 26 |
Jason Pinnock | FS | 25 |
Patrick Johnson | LB | 26 |
Tommy DeVito | QB | 26 |
Dyontae Johnson | LB | 24 |
Veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton and defensive end Azeez Ojulari headline this year’s Giants free-agent class. Both were involved in trade rumors at this year’s deadline, as many believed the team would trade them for draft capital. Neither is expected to return to New York next season.
With the emergence of Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson, Slayton may not have had the same opportunities he enjoyed when he first joined the Giants in 2019. While the former fifth-rounder was one of the Giants’ most consistent targets during his six-year tenure, his future with New York is uncertain as the team has several other needs to prioritize this offseason.
With a crowded defensive line consisting of Dexter Lawrence II, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Elijah Chatman, and Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Ojulari may not have the opportunity to start in 2025. Despite having an impressive 2024 campaign where he posted 28 total tackles and six sacks, Ojulari has struggled to stay healthy throughout his Giants tenure.
Both quarterbacks Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito are unrestricted free agents this offseason. Schoen has stated that Big Blue will retain DeVito; however, Lock is unlikely to return to New York next season. The Giants are expected to look for a franchise quarterback this offseason, and Lock was a short-term option to bridge the gap until the G-Men bring in a younger prospect for 2025.
The Giants can never have enough offensive linemen, so with Evan Neal’s uncertainty due to his lack of performance on the field, it would not be surprising to see guard Aaron Stinnie return. He provides depth in a group often plagued by injuries. Veteran guard Greg Van Roten will likely not return to the Giants, as the soon-to-be 35-year-old lineman is not as serviceable as other options like Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemenor.
New York has several members of their secondary set to hit the market this offseason, including linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons, veteran defensive back Adoree’ Jackson, and free safety Jason Pinnock. Jackson only played 13 games this year, and the Giants are likely to prioritize providing more opportunities to younger cornerbacks like Deonte Banks, Dru Phillips, and Cor’Dale Flott, which could result in letting the veteran walk in free agency.
The G-Men should retain Isaiah Simmons due to his age and ability to play multiple positions; however, Pinnock could be on the move this offseason. The Cincinnati Bengals would be an excellent fit for Pinnock should the Giants decide to move on from him. It will be interesting to see what Schoen and the Giants’ front office decide to do with both players.
Other Giants players set to hit free agency this year, whose futures in New York are up in the air, include punter Jamie Gillan, long snapper Casey Kreiter, cornerback Elijah Riley, outside linebacker Patrick Johnson, linebacker Dyontae Johnson, tight end Chris Manhertz, and wide receiver Gunner Olszewski.
These players would likely be brought back for depth purposes, but they aren’t necessarily the Giants’ priorities this offseason. Still, Schoen and the Giants’ front office will have their hands full, which should make for an entertaining offseason.