'Everyone Has Their Own Path!' Giants Waiting for Neal's Development

The New York Giants will host the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1, hoping to fend off one of the league’s most aggressive pass rushes.

In all likelihood, they’ll be doing it without offensive tackle Evan Neal.

Neal had a late start to training camp as he recovered from offseason ankle surgery, but after two years of struggles, both physically and on the field, his starting spot became increasingly uncertain. Now, it’s veteran Jermaine Eluemunor’s gig.

That’s quite the fall from grace for a former first-round tackle. But New York publicly backed Neal ahead of the team’s final preseason game.

Assistant general manager Brandon Brown spoke to the media on Tuesday and spoke about the Giants’ approach to Neal in what could be a career-defining year.

“I think when you look at the development of players, not just the offensive line but in general, you always want to give at least a minimum three years of book of business,” Brown said. “Everyone has their own path. Whether it’s coaching changes, whether it’s coaching style, whether it’s injuries or just a transition to a style of play.

“I think with Evan, he’s trying to get healthy right now and I appreciate his mindset. He wants to do whatever’s best for the team.”

For now, getting healthy is the priority. He missed the first two games of the preseason, the second of which he had practiced for, but required more of a ramp-up. At full strength, though, his assignment will likely reside on the second-string offensive line. It’s too early to tab him as a swing tackle, pushing Joshua Ezeudu inside for looks at left tackle, so it’s safe to assume he’ll be holding down backup right tackle responsibilities.

Whether it’s filling in at left tackle, right tackle, or guard, Neal seems to be in the right headspace. He’s made comments this summer about controlling what he can control and doing whatever is asked of him. He’s finally healthy enough to act on those ideals.

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The Giants won’t hand him a starting job, but they’re not leaving him behind, either. The violence of the position demands quality depth , and Neal’s path back to relevance will be through stepping up when others go down. With new offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, New York hopes to prepare him for that moment.

“I’ve got faith in him, we’re not losing any faith in Evan right now. And I think right now, him stringing together good days of practice, going into a joint practice tomorrow with the Jets, and then having that last preseason game, it’s all gonna be a springboard for him to get back on the track that he wants to be on.”