For what feels like the better part of a century, the New York Giants have been searching high and low and near and far for a cornerback room that doesn't make fans want to throw remotes through their televisions. And somehow, someway, against all odds, they might've finally found one.
Greg Newsome II and Deonte Banks have been two of the more pleasant surprises of the 2026 season (shout-out to DJ Reader for being the most pleasant), helping turn what looked like a huge weakness coming into the season into a legitimate strength.
But apparently, keeping the band together isn't going to be quite as easy as general manager Joe Schoen might've hoped.
According to ESPN's Jordan Raanan and Giants Nation Show's Bobby Skinner, the Giants attempted to extend Banks with a deal similar to the three-year, $46 million contract Newsome signed earlier this week, albeit for slightly less money. The former first-round pick turned it down, and with New York having already declined his fifth-year option, he's currently headed for free agency after the season. And that leaves one obvious path moving forward.
Giants should consider franchise tagging Deonte Banks before committing long term
First off, good for Banks. Seriously. The 25-year-old has completely turned his career around under new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, and he's earned every right to bet on himself.
Through five games, Banks has recorded 10 passes defensed and a 98-yard, game-sealing pick-six against the Arizona Cardinals, all while looking like an actual starting-caliber cornerback for the first time in his four-year career.
But let's not forget where we were with this guy just last year.
This was the same player the G-Men were relegating to kick-return duties because they couldn't trust him at corner. Now, after a literal handful of strong performances, we're supposed to just hand him a long-term contract worth north of $50 million?
I'm good, thanks. But that's where the franchise tag could become Schoen's best friend.
The 2027 cornerback tag is projected to cost roughly $23 million, which is admittedly a ridiculous amount of money to spend on a player who's played exactly one half of a season of good football. It's a hefty one-year cap hit, but it would give New York another season to figure out whether Banks' resurgence is legit or if Wilson has simply found the perfect system for him, without guaranteeing him a boatload of money beyond 2027.
And what happens if Wilson lands a head coaching job elsewhere this offseason? Are we absolutely certain Banks will be the same player in a different defense? Because I'm definitely not.
There's also the bigger financial picture to consider. Malik Nabers, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Theo Johnson, Abdul Carter, Cam Skattebo, and eventually Jaxson Dart will all need contract decisions in the coming years. I'll throw in J.J. McCarthy here too because you just never know.
The Giants can't afford to throw massive extensions at everyone who looks good for half a season, especially with so many important decisions looming.
Of course, the tag isn't exactly cheap, and fitting that salary under the cap could force some uncomfortable roster decisions. But at least the G-Men wouldn't be committing themselves to a massive multi-year deal before knowing exactly what they've got.
Banks wants to bet on himself? Fine by me. Love that for him. New York should be willing to bet on him for one more year, too.
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