Evan Neal ‘Almost Assuredly’ Leaving Giants: Free-Agency Bombshell Poised to Reshape New York’s O-Line

Evan Neal’s rocky New York Giants tenure appears to be ending after just four seasons, and the 25-year-old former No. 7 overall pick is about to hit the open market. League sources told ESPN that the Alabama product is “almost assuredly” moving on, with the Giants declining his fifth-year option and prepping for life without their onetime franchise tackle. Drafted to solidify the right side of the line, Neal instead battled technique issues and a string of injuries—most recently a hamstring tear that wiped out 2025 and a back flare-up that halted this winter’s comeback attempt after just one practice. The Giants slid him from tackle to guard in camp, but the experiment never reached the field. Now healthy and training with renowned O-line specialist LeCharles Bentley, Neal is marketing himself as an interior swing lineman who can start at guard and provide emergency tackle depth. At 6-foot-7 and 340 pounds with 34-inch arms, he still owns the traits teams covet, and his age makes him one of the youngest linemen in the 2026 class. Potential landing spots • Arizona Cardinals – need plug-and-play guard after moving on from Will Hernandez. • Los Angeles Chargers – searching for a power guard to flank Rashawn Slater. • Pittsburgh Steelers – have cap space and a track record of resurrecting first-round linemen. Contract outlook Execs expect a one-year, $5-6 million “prove-it” deal heavy on play-time incentives. A multi-year pact could surface if medicals check out at Alabama’s March 27 pro day, where Neal plans to showcase agility and lower-body explosiveness in place drills. Why it matters for the Giants Neal’s departure locks RT Evan Brown into the starting lineup and reinforces GM Joe Schoen’s urgency to draft a blue-chip tackle in April. Cap savings—roughly $5.4 million versus the declined option figure—can funnel into upgrades at wide receiver and pass rush. Bottom line Evan Neal’s Giants chapter is closing, but a clean bill of health and a move inside could let the 2022 first-rounder rebrand his career elsewhere. If he proves the hamstring and back issues are behind him, Neal could become one of free agency’s best low-risk, high-upside bargains in 2026.