The Giants and Evan Neal — a pair that seemed in desperate need of a divorce for several years — decided to give it one more try.
In one of the most stunning re-signings of the NFL offseason, Neal is returning to the Giants, his agent announced, after a disastrous four-year tenure that saw him go from No. 7 overall draft pick to unplayable fourth-stringer. The one-year contract is for the veteran minimum, a source told The Post.
It’s a classic case of a new coaching staff believing it can get more out of a player with NFL traits than their predecessors — despite former head coach Brian Daboll trying two different offensive line coaches and a position change to unlock Neal.
As Ravens head coach at the time, John Harbaugh was high on Neal’s college tape during the 2022 predraft process — as were most teams — and didn’t want to give up on the draft bust now that he is with the Giants. Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy like big offensive guards, and the 6-foot-7, 340-pound Neal certainly fits the bill.
On Neal’s end, the Alabama product was desperate for a fresh start but is choosing to get it from Harbaugh rather than in another uniform after surveying a dry market for more than two days. Neal expressed excitement internally about an opportunity to return last week — before free agency opened.
Harbaugh advertised clean slates, but the work ethic questions that followed Neal in the building with the front office and teammates will not totally disappear — nor will the bad blood that he created when he infamously told his critics in the fan base that they should be flipping burgers.
Of course, if Neal wins a starting job — right guard is wide open — and plays well, then all will be forgiven. There just has not been any sign that he can play well based on his three injury-plagued seasons at right tackle, which include 12 sacks allowed in 29 games.
Neal moved to guard last offseason and opened training camp taking first-team reps in a three-way rotation. But he quickly lost the job to Greg Van Roten (an unsigned free agent), and then the Giants went out of their way to keep him inactive on game days.
When it finally looked like there might be a chance for him to play late in the season, Neal appeared on the injury report (hamstring and neck).
Neal will be one of about 15 offensive linemen brought to training camp with no promises. In other words, right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (re-signed for three years, $39 million) won’t be moving to right guard to make room for Neal at right tackle — as was the original plan in 2024.
