The New York Giants are expected to make a ton of changes this offseason after the 2024 season saw the storied franchise finish a woeful 3-14. The one obvious change Big Blue will make is at the quarterback position after releasing Daniel Jones in November, less than two years after signing his lucrative $140 million contract.
However, the front office may have to make some difficult decisions. After enduring a season that saw the Giants not only set a franchise record with ten straight losses but also go winless in the NFC East for the first time in team history, this is not sustainable. If New York hopes for better fortunes in 2025 and beyond, these are the three most difficult decisions the team must consider.
Three tough decisions Big Blue must make this offseason
3. Release former first-round pick Deonte Banks
After a very promising rookie season for cornerback Deonte Banks, whom the Giants selected with the 25th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, his sophomore campaign in the NFL told a very different story.
The 2024 season saw Banks fail to record a single interception as his year was mainly defined by bad headlines. The 23-year-old was seen getting hurdled in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers by Najee Harris back in Week 8 and was benched after displaying a lack of effort. Overall, he had a hard time solidifying himself as a reliable cornerback for Big Blue.
Even though it was just his second year in the NFL, the Giants were hoping Banks would take a major step forward after their secondary suffered a major blow with star safety Xavier McKinney signing in free agency with the Green Bay Packers—where he ended up having a career year. Banks must show he belongs on this Giants defense once offseason programs and training camp get underway, or else the G-MEN must consider moving on from him after his concerning 2024 campaign.
2. Move on from pass rusher Azeez Ojulari
The Giants had very high hopes when they selected pass rusher Azeez Ojulari in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. His rookie season was certainly something New York was thrilled about, as Ojulari had eight sacks during the 2021 season, setting an all-time Giants record for sacks by a rookie. His career in New York has since not been the same, which is why the team should move on from Ojulari.
Since that promising rookie season, Ojulari has had multiple stints on the injured reserve list, costing him significant playing time. Before the start of the 2024 season, the 24-year-old had compiled just eight sacks total over two seasons combined.
Despite having a major bounce-back season in 2024 with six sacks—the most since his aforementioned rookie season—it may be time to part ways with Ojulari. Especially after his name was floated in trade rumors at the deadline before ultimately staying put.
With Dexter Lawrence expected to return for the start of the 2025 season after his campaign was cut short by injury, and linebackers Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns solidifying themselves as the Giants' star pass rushers, Ojulari may be the odd man out next season. This is why Big Blue should seriously consider moving on from him.
1. Let WR Darius Slayton walk in free agency
When the Giants selected wide receiver Darius Slayton in the fifth round of the 2019 draft, it turned out to be one of the franchise’s most under-the-radar moves ever. Despite never recording a 1,000-yard season in his six years in the NFL thus far, he has still been a reliable target for the Giants on offense. Now, with Slayton set to be a free agent this offseason, it's time to let the receiver walk as New York begins yet another rebuild.
Slayton’s availability to start the 2024 season was initially cast in doubt when the 27-year-old began holding out during offseason workouts. Slayton eventually agreed to rework his contract and adjust the two-year, $12 million extension he signed the year prior. However, after not much production this season, it’s hard to imagine he’ll want to take any deal for less than $12 million.
After setting a career-high with 770 yards in 2023, the wideout saw a major dip in production, finishing with just 573 yards—the second-lowest total of his career—and only two touchdowns. While the poor production could be attributed to the Giants’ struggles at the quarterback position, Slayton simply was not the same player in 2024.
With young phenom wide receiver Malik Nabers expected to be the Giants' number-one receiver, Wan’Dale Robinson thriving in the slot, and Big Blue believing Jalin Hyatt can bounce back after a dismal 2024 season, Slayton seems almost certain to be gone this offseason, especially now that he is 27 years old.
