The New York Giants are staring down one of the most pivotal decisions of their offseason-and it starts in the trenches. Right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, fresh off a career year anchoring one of the league’s most improved offensive lines, is set to hit free agency. And with a projected price tag that could push north of $18 million annually, the Giants are facing a tough financial squeeze.
But the equation changed the moment John Harbaugh arrived in East Rutherford.
The Harbaugh Factor
Harbaugh’s arrival isn't just a coaching hire-it’s a philosophical shift. A longtime believer that offensive line play is the heartbeat of a winning football team, Harbaugh brings with him a no-nonsense approach to building from the inside out. And in Eluemunor, he sees more than just a reliable right tackle-he sees a player who already knows the system, the expectations, and the physical identity Harbaugh wants to instill.
This isn’t a new relationship. Back in 2017, Harbaugh was in Baltimore when the Ravens drafted Eluemunor in the fifth round.
The rookie earned PFWA All-Rookie honors that year, and while his path to becoming a top-tier lineman took time, the foundation was laid under Harbaugh’s watch. Now, nearly a decade later, the two are poised for a reunion-with much higher stakes.
Harbaugh has long maintained that offensive linemen need to be among the smartest players on the field. In Eluemunor, he’s getting a lineman who not only fits that mold but has grown into a leader, a tone-setter, and a stabilizing force on a line that desperately needed one.
Eluemunor’s Breakout 2025 Campaign
Let’s talk production. In 2025, Eluemunor didn’t just hold his own-he dominated.
He logged over 1,000 offensive snaps and posted a 97.8 pass-blocking efficiency grade, per Pro Football Focus. That’s elite territory.
He allowed just four sacks and 19 total pressures all season-a remarkable stat line, especially considering he was protecting a rookie quarterback in Jaxson Dart, who needed every extra second in the pocket to survive his debut campaign. Eluemunor was the safety net, the insurance policy, and the tone-setter up front.
Sure, the 14 penalties are a blemish. That’s an area he’ll need to clean up.
But when you look at the total body of work, there’s no question: Eluemunor was the Giants’ most consistent and valuable offensive lineman in 2025. He brought an end to the revolving door at right tackle, effectively closing the book on the Evan Neal era of uncertainty.
The Cap Crunch: Can the Giants Make It Work?
Here’s where it gets tricky. The Giants are projected to have just $4 million in cap space heading into the 2026 offseason, according to Over The Cap. That’s not a lot of room to play with-especially when you’re trying to lock down a player who could command $20 million per year.
But the presence of Harbaugh changes the calculus. If the Giants are serious about shifting from rebuilding to contending, this is the kind of move that signals intent.
General manager Joe Schoen may need to get creative-perhaps by backloading Eluemunor’s contract and tapping into the $113 million in projected 2027 cap space. It’s a strategy Schoen has typically avoided, but retaining a cornerstone like Eluemunor may force his hand.
For context, Eluemunor’s potential deal could mirror the one signed by Panthers right tackle Taylor Moton-two years, $44 million. That’s a hefty investment, but one the Giants may have to make if they want to keep their offensive line trending in the right direction.
Why This Deal Matters
This isn’t just about retaining a good player-it’s about setting the tone for the Harbaugh era. Eluemunor represents everything Harbaugh wants in a lineman: toughness, intelligence, and familiarity with the system. Letting him walk would mean starting over at one of the most critical positions on the field, and doing so with limited cap space and no clear replacement.
For a team hoping to turn the corner and push toward playoff contention, that’s a risk the Giants simply can’t afford to take.
Expect the front office to make a serious push to keep Eluemunor in blue. The price will be steep, but the alternative-losing your best offensive lineman just as a new era begins-could cost even more.