In Sunday’s 21-6 loss to the Commanders, the New York Giants looked like a complete and utter trainwreck. Russell Wilson and the offense couldn’t get anything going, the defense surrendered over 400 total yards, and Malik Nabers and Brian Daboll were caught arguing on the sideline.
It's a far cry from the team that looked flawless after going unbeaten in the preseason, but it was only a matter of time before Big Blue fell back down to earth. Jayden Daniels can give any team fits, but he’s giving Giants fans full-blown meltdowns after that dismal performance.
In a game where it felt like nothing went right for the G-Men, perhaps the biggest storyline came away from the field. Evan Neal was listed as a healthy scratch against the Commanders in a twist that could see the former No. 7 overall pick’s time in East Rutherford come to a close.
An Evan Neal trade is bound to happen sooner rather than later
If Neal can’t see the field with an offensive line that’s this desperate for help, then the writing’s on the wall. The Florida native looked strong at first, but struggles persisted throughout the summer. And with a clean bill of health, so his absence in the season opener speaks volumes.
The 6-foot-7, 340-pound lineman was the subject of offseason speculation after moving to guard this summer, delaying a project that Daboll and OL coach Carmen Bricilo should have looked into ages ago. He was a turnstile at tackle who never really looked like an NFL-caliber lineman after showcasing gold jacket potential in Tuscaloosa.
The Giants can’t afford to waste any more time trying to salvage a player who doesn’t fit. The offensive line has long been New York’s biggest red flag, and it should only be a matter of time before they cut ties with one of the team’s biggest busts in recent memory.
The 24-year-old was the subject of trade rumors all summer long, and it's starting to look like a surprise if he's still with the team by the Trade Deadline. Set to be a free agent, the Alabama product could benefit from a change of scenery before hitting the open market this offseason.
In the modern NFL, there is always demand for offensive line help, especially when they are as good a run blocker as Neal. Teams like the Cardinals or Jets (who lost Alijah-Vera-Tucker for the season) could come calling in hopes of reviving his career.
If Big Blue is serious about turning things around in 2025, cutting ties with the former first-rounder should be the first domino to fall.