Evan Neal of the New York Giants. Chris Pedota / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

John Harbaugh and Giants betting on upside with Evan Neal

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Mar 11, 2026 10:37 PM ET

Evan Neal is getting another chance and a fresh start with the New York Giants.

In what is absolutely a surprising move, Neal was given a one-year, minimum-salary deal to come back with the Giants in 2026.

Neal was the seventh overall in the 2022 NFL draft, but he's had a disappointing four seasons in New York. In fact, the Giants didn't pick up his fifth-year option last offseason, so he seemed destined to walk in free agency.

Jordan Raanan of ESPN is reporting that new Giants head coach John Harbaugh has decided to take the chance on Neal, if only to see if he can tap into the upside that made him a Top 10 pick a few years ago.

"New coach John Harbaugh is giving him a clean slate and another opportunity, willing to wipe away the past in hope of unearthing untapped talent," Raanan reported.

NFL insider Mike Garafolo took is a step foward, saying that Harbaugh is "eager" to work with Neal.

New #Giants HC John Harbaugh is eager to work with Evan Neal, I’m told. Sees untapped potential he, along with his coaching staff, can try to unearth. The seventh overall pick in 2022 is back to Big Blue. pic.twitter.com/EnhTS42FfK
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 11, 2026

It makes sense, too.

John Harbaugh trying to get the potential out of Evan Neal

Offensive linemen who check in at 6-foot-7, 340 pounds don't just grow on trees, after all.

It's also worth remembering that Neal has quite the pedigree as a football player. He's a former 5-star recruit from IMG Academy in Florida who was ranked as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2019 class.

He committed to Alabama out of high school and was a first-team All-American for Nick Saban.

New York's former staff couldn't get it out of him, but Harbaugh is one of the best coaches in the NFL, and he's coached elite offensive linemen in the past.

Whether he moves back to tackle or plays guard for Harbaugh, it does make sense for the Giants to give Neal one more shot.

After all, on a minimum salary at around $1.2 million, the Giants essentially have nothing to lose by making this deal.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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