EAST RUTHERFORD, NY— After a frustrating and injury-shortened year with the Tennessee Titans, Evan Neal is back with the New York Giants for Season 33—and this time, he’s coming back in a new role.
The former first-round pick, who spent six seasons with the Giants before signing a one-year deal with Tennessee, suffered a preseason injury that kept him sidelined for the entirety of Season 32. Though his stint in Nashville was brief and marred by bad luck, Neal’s comeback story now returns to familiar ground—only with a new challenge ahead.
From Tackle to Guard
Following struggles at right tackle in previous seasons, the Giants are transitioning Neal inside to guard for the upcoming year. It’s a move that’s already underway during offseason workouts and one the team hopes can revive the career of a player once seen as a foundational piece of their offensive line.
“He’s doing well so far,” offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo told the New York Post. “Excited to see when we put pads on what happens, but he’s embraced it, we’ve embraced it, it’s been good so far.”
Neal, the No. 7 overall pick back in 2022, hasn’t played guard since his freshman year at Alabama, where he started 13 games at right guard. But with veteran Jon Runyan locked in on the left side, Neal is now battling Greg Van Roten for the starting right guard position.
High Hopes Despite Low Risk
The Giants declined Neal’s fifth-year option earlier this offseason, making this a pivotal year for the 6-foot-7 lineman’s future with the team. While his past performances at tackle raised concerns, the team remains optimistic that a move inside could replicate success stories like that of Mekhi Becton, who found a second life as a guard with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll noted that Neal has picked up the nuances of the position well so far but emphasized that training camp will be the true test. For now, though, the early signs are encouraging.
A Bonus in the Trenches
In a best-case scenario, Neal wins the starting job and finally delivers on the promise he showed coming out of college. At the very least, his presence gives the Giants valuable depth and positional versatility—a key asset in a league where offensive line injuries are all too common.
For Evan Neal and the Giants, Season 33 offers a clean slate. And for a franchise that has struggled to field a consistent offensive line in recent years, any step forward from Neal would be a welcomed one.
