Ereck Flowers Contract Option Reportedly Will Be Declined by Giants

The New York Giants will decline the fifth-year option for offensive lineman Ereck Flowers, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com. 

As Kevin Patra of NFL.com added, the move comes "as little surprise" and "would have cost New York $12.5 million to pick up."

Flowers, 24, had his struggles playing at left tackle in the first three years of his career for the Giants, starting 46 games at the position. In 2017, Pro Football Focus gave him a grade of 51.5, 54th among all tackles in the NFL.

Once the Giants signed left tackle Nate Solder in free agency, Flowers was told his time protecting Eli Manning's blind side was done and that he would be given a chance to win a job on the right side.

"As soon as we announced the signing of Nate, [coach] Pat [Shurmur] spoke with Ereck," general manager Dave Gettleman said in March, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. "He called him on the phone to talk to him and said, 'Listen, we're going to move you to right, and at the end of the day, the five best offensive linemen play.' That's where they left it, and Ereck was fine on the phone."

It isn't surprising the Giants declined his option, as it remains to be seen if he can help them at the right tackle position going forward. They still believe in his upside, however.

"He's a big, strong, powerful kid, and it's just a matter of getting used to playing over there," Gettleman said in March.

Of course, it's not as though playing on the right side of the offensive line will be a cakewalk:

Turning his potential into production has been an issue in his career. As Raanan noted, Flowers "has consistently struggled with his technique and footwork" and the concerns extended to the locker room, as he "and former right tackle Bobby Hart were outcasts in the Giants' offensive line room the past few seasons."

With a new staff in place and a new position to learn, perhaps Flowers will thrive given a fresh start. The Giants aren't willing to bet on it just yet, however.