Giants primed for a new strategy on their offensive line— continuity

Since their last ticker-tape parade, the Giants have fed enough offensive line plans into the paper shredder to fill the Canyon of Heroes with confetti. 

Whether it was signing Nate Solder, Mark Glowinski and more, or trading for Kevin Zeitler, Ben Bredeson and more, or drafting Ereck Flowers, Will Hernandez and more, the Giants always have been on the lookout for the next plug-and-play addition to finally solve a blocking crisis.

That means a lot of starting from scratch in training camp. 

Until this year, when the idea of maintaining continuity prevailed. 

“We’ve had a full two offseason programs, two full training camps, and everybody’s super comfortable,” said left guard Jon Runyan Jr., a 2024 free agent signing. “When it’s time to go and we’re in the team periods, we have guys just playing for and with each other. And it’s really inspiring to see the difference where we’re at from last year compared to this year.” 

The starting offensive line for the Giants in Week 1 of 2025 could be the same as in Week 1 of 2024, which would be a first in back-to-back seasons since 2009-10, according to The Post’s research. 

The quintet — Andrew Thomas, Runyan, John Michael Schmitz, Greg Van Roten and Jermaine Eluemunor, from left to right — hasn’t practiced together yet this summer because Thomas is sidelined while recovering from foot surgery undergone last October. 

But Thomas is on track to return before facing the Commanders, so if there is an interruption to the status quo then it likely will be Evan Neal — a career 27-game starter at right tackle — supplanting Van Roten at right guard and not the introduction of a stranger. 

“I go against those guys every day and, you know, I’m physical,” linebacker Bobby Okereke said. “I’m punching them and the running backs and they’re throwing it back in my face, and it’s fun. They’re the engine of our offense, honestly. They’re running 10, 15 yards downfield to go rally with their teammates. They’re building that mentality and demeanor.” 

Van Roten’s absence the last two practices has created an opportunity for Neal. 

“Ev’s a humongous human being and those double teams are going to be terrible for defensive tackles,” Eluemunor said. “His hands are like 10 times the size of mine. If he gets his hands on you and in the run game, if he just hits you, you’re going to go back.” 

The Giants used the most starting offensive line combinations (10) in the NFL last season — a hamster wheel that began when Thomas went down in Week 6. 

“Seeing the game through the same set of eyes with five guys,” head coach Brian Daboll said, imagining the possibilities, “but you have to … make sure people are ready.” 

So, there is value in finding first-team snaps for swing tackle James Hudson — the lone significant free-agent investment and someone who toes the physicality line in practice — and rookie fifth-round draft pick Marcus Mbow as well as returning backups Josh Ezeudu and Jake Kubas. 

Daboll’s tolerance for offensive line mistakes is low.

He is removing starters who commit pre-snap penalties before the next play. 

“Offensive line, you have to set the tone,” Eluemunor said. “For us to be the offensive line we want to be this year, you have to have guys like [Hudson] on the team.” 

Schmitz and Eluemunor missed two games apiece last season, the previously injury-free Runyan missed four, and Eluemunor kept switching sides as the Giants sank to No. 21 in sacks allowed (48) and No. 17 in yards per carry (4.2). 

“I have high aspirations this year and a really big goal to achieve, which I’m going to achieve and it’ll be good for this team, too,” Eluemunor said. “I haven’t been shy about it. I want to be great.” 

Thomas’ absence was the one that could not be overcome in 2024.

It was the same story in 2023, when the Giants allowed the second-most sacks in NFL history, prompting the additions of Runyan and Eluemunor. 

“We are preparing for whatever that scenario may be,” Runyan said. “Andrew is probably the cornerstone of this offense. He’s a premier left tackle in this league. Having him out there makes us that much better. But it’s not just him. The next guy in there has to do just as good a job as the guy who was before him. That’s the mentality we’re carrying.” 

Veteran defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches can tell the difference between an offensive line still jelling and one starting camp further along than Page 1. 

“I can see it in their communication but more so in their confidence,” he said. “Not a lot of guys are turning around like, ‘What’s going on?’ It’s, ‘I said this. Let’s roll.’ ”