Giants Bring Back Offensive Linemen Ezeudu and Neal on One-Year Deals

New York Giants give second chances to 2022 draft picks who struggled in their first few seasons.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 1:08am

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The New York Giants have re-signed offensive linemen Joshua Ezeudu and Evan Neal to one-year contracts, giving them another opportunity to prove themselves after underwhelming performances in their first few seasons with the team. Ezeudu, a third-round pick in 2022, played in 33 games but made only 10 starts and spent the 2025 season on injured reserve. Neal, the Giants' first-round pick in 2022, started 27 games in his first three seasons but never developed into a solid right tackle. The new Giants coaching staff, led by head coach John Harbaugh, is taking a "clean-slate" approach and is willing to work with players who may have been dismissed by previous regimes.

Why it matters

The Giants are hoping that a fresh start under new leadership will help Ezeudu and Neal reach their potential and solidify the offensive line, which has been a weak spot for the team in recent years. Harbaugh's willingness to give players a second chance could pay dividends if either Ezeudu or Neal is able to turn their career around and become a reliable contributor on the offensive line.

The details

Ezeudu, 26, was mostly a guard in college at North Carolina, but the Giants saw him as a tackle. He ended up starting seven games at left tackle, filling in when Andrew Thomas went down to injuries. Ezeudu had plenty of rough moments and missed the final 11 games of the 2023 season with a toe injury. He was playing well last summer before a strained calf put him out. Neal, 25, was a consensus top-10 pick in 2022, but he never grew into a solid right tackle. A move to guard in 2025 did not go anywhere, and he did not play one snap last season.

  • Ezeudu was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
  • Ezeudu spent the entire 2025 season on injured reserve with a calf issue.
  • Neal was the Giants' first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
  • Neal started 27 games in his first three seasons but did not play at all in the 2025 season.

The players

Joshua Ezeudu

A third-round pick by the Giants in the 2022 NFL Draft who has struggled with injuries and inconsistent play in his first few seasons, but is being given another chance by the new coaching staff.

Evan Neal

The Giants' first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, who was viewed as a top-10 talent but never developed into a solid right tackle and is now trying to prove himself as a guard.

John Harbaugh

The new head coach of the New York Giants, who is taking a "clean-slate" approach and is willing to work with players who may have been dismissed by previous regimes.

Mike Bloomgren

The new offensive line coach for the New York Giants, who will be working with Ezeudu and Neal to try to help them reach their potential.

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What they’re saying

“John Harbaugh is leaning into the clean-slate mindset he said he would have, as far as being open to working with players who someone else might have dismissed.”

— Paul Schwartz, Author

What’s next

The Giants will give Ezeudu and Neal opportunities to compete for roster spots during training camp and the preseason, as the team looks to solidify its offensive line under the new coaching staff.

The takeaway

The Giants' willingness to give Ezeudu and Neal another chance reflects a shift in the team's approach, as they look to maximize the potential of their young talent under new leadership. If either player is able to turn their career around, it could pay dividends for the Giants' offensive line in the years to come.