Unsung Giants veteran quietly playing his way into massive offseason payday

One Giants might be pricing himself out of East Rutherford.
New York Giants Training Camp
New York Giants Training Camp | Ishika Samant/GettyImages

It’s been a while since the New York Giants fielded a competent offensive line, let alone a good one. But 2025 has the chance to finally rewrite that narrative.

The interior leaves a lot to be desired, but the tackles are starting to take shape at the perfect time. Andrew Thomas is officially back and manning the left after nearly a year-long Lisfranc surgery recovery. Meanwhile, Jermaine Eluemunor has been locking down the right side of the line, outperforming the two-year, $14 million contract he signed with Big Blue in 2024.

It hasn’t been a flawless season for the 30-year-old. His 52.7 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus presents a clear area for improvement, and he’s surprisingly been one of the most penalized tackles in the league, with six through the first six weeks. While there are obvious fixes to be made, his pass-blocking remains strong. If he can clean up the rest, he’ll be in line to cash in with a lucrative contract extension.

Jermaine Eluemunor playing himself into a big offseason decision for Giants

Eluemunor is in the middle of a contract year, with a lot riding on his future earnings. He’ll turn 31 in December, suggesting this could be his last real shot at a long-term deal if he hits free agency.

The Giants could choose to re-sign him, but his age, potential market, and players like rookie Marcus Mbow could complicate that. Still, it’s something Big Blue should strongly consider. He’s quietly been a strong asset in the pass-blocking game — something rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart surely appreciates. And if this team wants to protect its franchise cornerstone, investing in linemen who can keep him upright is non-negotiable.

There’s no way around it: Eluemunor has been playing well above his pay grade. According to Over the Cap, his production is outpacing his salary by more than double — he’s earning $7 million, but he’s playing like someone who should be making $15 million. That’s excellent value this year, but it presents a real offseason decision.

The nine-year veteran will likely have his fair share of suitors if and when he hits the open market. And while he might not land a $15 million per year deal, something like three years, $30–39 million wouldn’t be unrealistic.

Big Blue won’t be armed with mountains of cap space. Spotrac projects New York to have around $28 million before any restructures, trades, or cuts. Shelling out half of that for Eluemunor might not fly — especially with Joe Schoen’s willingness to let talent walk if it means saving money.

He won’t get the spotlight, but his play is starting to demand attention. If he keeps this up, someone’s going to pay him. Whether it’s the Giants or not is a different story.

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