After enduring the worst season in franchise history and finishing 3-14, Joe Schoen and the New York Giants are expected to make several changes this offseason. Bringing in new faces to help the team rebuild and ultimately return to the postseason will be a priority.
While rebuilding often requires parting ways with some fan-favorite players and making tough sacrifices to win, there are certain players Schoen and the Giants should consider untouchable for the long term.
One of the most critical areas the Giants must address this offseason is their offensive line. With New York's recent history of underachieving offensive line units and their inability to protect the quarterback consistently, improving up front remains a constant challenge.
Last offseason, the Giants added linemen Jermaine Eluemenor, Jon Runyan Jr., and Greg Van Roten in free agency. However, their offensive line still ranked toward the bottom of the league. According to Pro Football Network, they finished 27th overall. While the Giants' run game showed promise with the emergence of rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., ranking 20th in running back yards by committee, their pressure rate ranked a dismal 28th.
One player the Giants should not part with under any circumstances is former All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas. Despite struggling with injuries, including this past season, where he appeared in just six games, Thomas has been nothing short of dominant when healthy. The fifth-year starter is widely regarded as one of the league's premier left tackles.
Recently, Lucas Hutcherson at SNY outlined five bold predictions for the Giants' 2025 offseason. These included drafting Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, no free agents returning to New York, prioritizing the offensive line and secondary in free agency, and adding a kicker. However, the prediction that stood out the most—and caused the most controversy—was the idea of the Giants trading Andrew Thomas.
The Giants should not trade Andrew Thomas this offseason
Thomas signed a well-deserved five-year, $117 million extension before the 2023 season, and while trading him could improve the Giants' financial flexibility, it would be a disastrous move. SNY argues that moving the veteran left tackle could benefit the team's salary cap this offseason. They also cite his injury history, as Thomas has missed 18 games since signing that extension two years ago.
While trading Thomas might save the Giants money, the reality is that moving him would create a massive hole on an offensive line that already requires significant upgrades. The last thing the G-Men should do is trade away their best offensive lineman, no matter how concerning his injury history might be.
The Giants' top priority this offseason is acquiring a franchise quarterback. Trading Thomas would hurt their offense immensely, as he’s their most productive lineman and the cornerstone of their protection. Without him, any new signal-caller would be at an even greater disadvantage.
In an offseason filled with tough decisions, this one should be easy. The Giants must keep Andrew Thomas as a key building block for their future. Trading him away would be a colossal mistake.