The New York Giants are looking for running back and/or defensive tackle help, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have both to offer, namely veteran A'Shawn Robinson. However, recent developments suggest the two clubs are no longer logical partners ahead of the NFL's upcoming trade deadline.
Don't look now, but the Buccaneers are half a game back in the NFC South standings following their 0-4 start to 2026! It seemed like a lost year, with sweeping organizational changes to come. The downward trajectory reached a point where "[entertaining] seller mode" wasn't off the table (h/t ESPN's Jeremy Fowler), making Robinson a name to watch.
Nevertheless, with Tampa Bay winning three of their past four games, including consecutive convincing victories over division foes, do they stand pat? Does their front office go in the opposite direction and add talent for a playoff push? Either way, the Giants can probably cross Robinson, who spent 2023 in East Rutherford, off their list of potential targets.
Giants' hopes of reuniting with DT A'Shawn Robinson are all but gone as Buccaneers surge
Robinson has quietly been a key rotational piece of a Bucs squad that ranks first in defensive expected points added (EPA) per play this season. He's recorded 22 tackles (one for loss), three pass deflections, two interceptions, two quarterback hits and a sack across eight games. His 83.3 overall Pro Football Focus grade ranks third out of 139 qualified interior defenders.
Given Robinson's familiarity with the franchise, specifically New York general manager Joe Schoen, a reunion felt natural. We know how the league's decision-makers love to rekindle with old flames, almost to a fault. In this case, it could've made sense, though Tampa Bay's resurgence complicates matters.
A productive, experienced player who wouldn't cost much to acquire at this stage of his career, Robinson checks several boxes for the G-Men. The Super Bowl LVI champion's high motor, size (6-foot-3, 320 pounds), physicality and power make him an imposing presence in the trenches. He's also emerged as a quintessential locker-room guy for the Bucs, adding to his established leadership track record that dates back to college.
After spending the past two campaigns with the Carolina Panthers, Robinson, 31, was widely considered a cap casualty this offseason. The club permitted him to seek a trade before his eventual release. He inked a nearly fully guaranteed deal to join the rival Buccaneers roughly 24 hours later, and the rest is history.
With Robinson ostensibly no longer an option, Big Blue must shift its attention to someone else, yet who?
If not A'Shawn Robinson, what other DTs can the Giants pursue?
New York head coach John Harbaugh reportedly contacted Tennessee Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk directly about star Jeffery Simmons' availability before the Chicago Bears swooped in. The NFC East leaders were also in the mix for the Washington Commanders' Daron Payne before he went down with a Jones fracture. Robinson was already Plan C, so now what?
Speaking of former Giants DTs, could the 0-7 Los Angeles Chargers consider Dalvin Tomlinson expendable? He's on an expiring contract and not part of his current team's long-term picture (whatever that may look like). Trying to recoup any assets for him certainly sounds reasonable.
While many want to see Indianapolis Colts bell cow tailback Jonathan Taylor in a Giants uniform, his teammate, Grover Stewart, is another non-Robinson alternative. Stewart is presumably up for grabs amid Indy's ongoing fire sale.
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