When the New York Giants selected Evan Neal with the seventh overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, they believed they had secured a franchise cornerstone. Now, after a tenure derailed by injuries and inconsistent play, the Giants are facing a difficult decision about his future, with trade rumors swirling around the sidelined offensive tackle.
As the team struggles through a tough season, management may be considering a significant move to prepare for the 2025-26 campaign.
Have the Giants Lost Confidence in Evan Neal?
Neal joined the Giants carrying high expectations from his time at Alabama, where he established himself as a dominant offensive tackle with a promising future. He started nearly every game for the Crimson Tide, and while he sustained a couple of injuries in college, none seriously hindered his trajectory. Many expected the name Evan Neal to make waves in the NFL.
However, his performance with the Giants has not lived up to that initial hype, marked by stagnant development and persistent injuries. Compounding his on-field issues, Neal has also generated drama off the field with a history of speaking negatively towards fans, which created a poor reputation among the fanbase. As the friction built, Neal found himself in the heat of bad press.
After starting strong in the 2022 season by playing in 13 games and two postseason contests at right tackle, his career took a downturn. Ankle injuries limited him to just seven games in 2023, and the struggles continued into the 2024 campaign. In 2024, he played in only nine games and eventually lost his starting position due to an earlier ankle injury, failing to reach his full potential.
This season, Neal has been completely sidelined, not starting a single game for the Giants. Jermaine Elemunor has taken his position at right tackle, and there was also discussion about moving Neal to the guard position. These personnel shuffles have occurred while the Giants’ offense has struggled as a whole, ranking 25th and earning a D+ grade from the PFSN Offense Impact metric.
As of this moment, interest remains cool on acquiring #Giants G Evan Neal, per league sources.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) November 4, 2025
As a result of his diminished role, rumors suggest the Giants have placed Neal on the trade list.
The logic appears straightforward: if he is not contributing, trading him for a player who can fill a need makes sense. This situation highlights the harsh reality for professional athletes, where consistent performance is paramount.
However, moving Neal presents a significant challenge. The Giants have not committed to extending his contract, and since he has not been showcasing his skills this season, his trade value is questionable. Convincing another team to part with a performing player in exchange for someone who has not been on the field is a difficult sell.