Both the Giants and Jets made significant additions to their offensive lines during free agency, with the NFC’s New York team willing to spend more for a top target.
As documented by HBO’s Hard Knocks: Offseason, a Jets offer for Jon Runyan Jr. prompted the Giants to act. Runyan, familiar with Aaron Rodgers and OC Nathaniel Hackett from his time with the Packers, nearly reunited with them in New York. Giants senior VP of football operations Kevin Abrams informed Joe Schoen that the team would need to outbid the Jets to secure Runyan.
The Jets ultimately added three offensive line starters but initially offered Runyan $9 million per year with $17 million guaranteed. The Giants, seeking to address injuries from last season, outbid the Jets with a three-year, $30 million deal, matching the $17 million guarantee. Consequently, the Jets turned to John Simpson, signing him for two years and $12 million.
This move took the Giants out of the running for Robert Hunt, who was pegged to be worth $13-$15 million per year. However, Hunt’s market value eventually reached $20 million annually, and he signed with the Panthers. After securing Runyan, the Giants also added Jermaine Eluemunor with a two-year, $14 million deal, edging out interest from the Jets and Cardinals.
Eluemunor, seeking a two-year deal to potentially re-enter free agency in the mid-2020s, ended up with the Giants after they increased their offer. His contract contains no guarantees for 2025, aligning with his preference for a shorter deal. Giants pro scouting director Chris Rossetti indicated that Eluemunor could start at right tackle or left guard, with the team currently favoring the latter to allow Evan Neal to focus on right tackle.
As a result, the Giants’ starting lineup is expected to feature Andrew Thomas, Eluemunor, John Michael Schmitz, Runyan, and Neal. The Jets, meanwhile, have Simpson and Alijah Vera-Tucker at guard, with potential adjustments involving first-round tackle Olu Fashanu. Their offensive tackle spots are occupied by free agent Tyron Smith and trade reacquisition Morgan Moses.
After Eluemunor’s decision, the Cardinals added Evan Brown on a one-year, $2.35 million deal for left guard and invested significantly in right tackle Jonah Williams.
