Metlife Stadium—-Besides Andrew Thomas quarterback Daniel Jones is beaming right now having his blind side is fully protected now that Thomas will be cleaning up everything on his blind side.
The Giants are obviously thrilled with Thomas’ performance in 2022. His play on the field helped the Giants get back to the playoffs and helped Jones earn his hefty contract extension.
Thomas was eligible for a contract extension, having completed three seasons. The former No. 4 overall pick was under contract through the 2024 season at $10.2 million this year and $14.1 million for the next.
The cleanup specialist has spent the last three seasons with the Giants and the organization announced today that they will be picking up Thomas’ fifth-year option of his contract. This keeps Thomas under contract with the Giants through 2024.
“I’m gonna focus on getting better, trying to be a better leader for the team,” Thomas said, when asked about the possibility of a new contract. “My agent and Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll, they control all that. So I’ll just focus on getting better. Because I’m never satisfied. Regardless of whether I get a deal or not, I’m always trying to get better, each and every day.”
The Georgia offensive lineman has amassed 44 starts over the last three years and started in every single game except for the season finale in 2022. He also was on the field for every single offensive snap in all but two contests last season. Thomas was named Second-Team All-Pro by the Associated Press following the 2022 season which some would argue it was snub behind 49ers’ Trent Williams.
The Giants organization announced the news Tuesday morning but don’t be surprise if the organization locks him up long term which will benefit the G-Men.
In his final year at the Univ. Georgia, Thomas was named a first-team All-American and first-team All-SEC. He remains one of the program’s all-time offensive linemen and has turned into a prominent left tackle in the NFL. Thomas’ current contract with the Giants earned him over 32 million dollars, and in 2024 his base salary will jump up to over 14 million which is what makes the organization picking up his fifth-year option a big deal for Thomas.
Texans Laremy Tunsil already is topping the tackle market at an average of $25 million per year, and the longer a team waits to pay a player at premium positions, the higher the price will be.
But the Giants have other pressing business to handle, though: Clemson stuff defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is seeking a long term deal and has not reported to the team yet this offseason as he waits for negotiations and close out a deal.
Running back Saquon Barkley is in the same situation, but he plays a much less expensive position. How the Giants pay Lawrence will determine how they are going to handle Barkley.
We will have to wait and see how all of this shakes out.
