Evan Neal Trade Reportedly Eyed by Giants at 2025 NFL Deadline, Former 1st-Round Pick

With the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline just hours away, the New York Giants are reportedly motivated to get rid of a player who was once thought to be a key part of their future.

According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, a league source said the Giants are looking to trade guard Evan Neal, who was selected with the No. 7 pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

Anderson reported on Monday that the Giants were engaged in "exploratory trade talks" with the Las Vegas Raiders regarding Neal last month, but those discussions "didn't lead to urgent action" at that time.

A former offensive tackle, Neal was expected to be an anchor on New York's offensive line for years to come, but his career has gotten off to a rocky start due to injuries and inconsistent play. He also drew the ire of Giants fans during the 2023 season when he called them "bandwagoners" and asked, "Why would a lion concern himself with the opinion of a sheep?" in response to fans criticizing the offensive line for surrendering 11 sacks in a loss. He later apologized for his comments.

After appearing in just 29 games in his first three years in the league, Neal switched from tackle to guard entering the 2025 season. Unfortunately, that move failed to get him back on track, as he hasn't played a single snap this year. He was a healthy scratch in the first eight weeks of the season before being activated in Week 9 due to injuries across the offensive line, but he didn't see the field.

Perhaps Neal would benefit from a change in scenery, as he's struggled under the bright lights of the Big Apple. At 2-7, the Giants are headed toward another rebuild year, so it would be best for them to cut ties with the players who won't be part of the solution to turn around the franchise.