The New York Giants enter offseason workouts with four of the ideal five starting offensive line positions filled in. The unit features Andrew Thomas at left tackle, John Michael Schmitz at center, Francis Mauigoa making the move to right guard after playing exclusively at right tackle at Miami, and Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle. This leaves left guard as the only starting spot in question, with several players competing for it.
Here’s a look at the New York Giants three competitors
Oct 5, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; A detail view of a New York Giants helmet on the sideline during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images, NFL Draft
Oct 5, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; A detail view of a New York Giants helmet on the sideline during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
The first competitor is Jon Runyan Jr., the incumbent. The $30 million free-agent signing from the 2024 offseason has manned the left guard position over the past two seasons, starting 29 games, while allowing 60 pressures and four sacks. Runyan has the most starting experience out of the bunch with 79 regular-season and three playoff starts through six seasons. He enters the final year of his deal and is scheduled to earn a $9 million base salary, $9.25 million in cash, and a $11.75 million cap hit.
The second competitor is Daniel Faalele. He signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with $687,500 guaranteed, reuniting him with John Harbaugh. Faalele has started 34 regular-season and two playoff games at right guard over the past two seasons, but has struggled, allowing 63 pressures and five sacks. He brings the second-most starting experience through four seasons, though he has yet to play at left guard, having played exclusively at right tackle in college, while also seeing some time at both tackle spots before making the switch to right guard.
The third competitor is AaronStinnie. He has spent the past two seasons with the Giants, primarily as a reserve with four starts, and recently signed a one-year, $1,487,500 contract with $62,500 guaranteed. Although Stinnie has been in the NFL the longest, at eight seasons, he has the fewest starts among the group, with 16 regular-season and five playoff appearances.
Here is the current favorite to start at left guard
New York Giants, Jon Runyan Jr.
Aug 4, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants guard Jon Runyan (76) on the field during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Dan Duggan of The Athletic identified Jon Runyan Jr. as an under-the-radar trade candidate, citing his bloated $11.75 million cap hit and the $9.25 million cap savings if the Giants move on from him. He also highlights the bargain if Daniel Faalele wins the starting job, given a very team-friendly $1.26 million cap hit. However, Duggan points to the most likely outcome as Runyan retaining the starting left guard position.
“An under-the-radar potential trade chip for the Giants: Left guard Jon Runyan. Odds are that Runyan will remain the left guard like he has been for the past two seasons. But with Mauigoa expected to step in at right guard, that leaves a crowd of guards to battle Runyan for his starting spot. If Harbaugh favorite Daniel Faalele impresses in training camp, his $1.3 million cap hit would represent a bargain compared to Runyan’s bloated $11.8 million cap charge. The Giants could create $9.3 million in cap savings if they cut or trade Runyan,” Duggan said.
“The most likely outcome is that Runyan emerges from a pool of flawed challengers, and the Giants aren’t in position to deal away serviceable offensive linemen even if Runyan loses his starting job. But it’s something to consider, especially if money is tight around cut day.”