Giants on the Clock: $22M Cap Space Decision Looms

Giants Have No Choice—They Need to Free Up $22 Million in Cap Space

The New York Giants are in a bit of a financial crunch. Sitting at just $5 million in cap space, they still have to factor in their 2025 rookie class and Russell Wilson’s contract. In other words, they’ve got no choice but to make some moves to free up cash.

The Easy Fix: Restructuring Thomas & Lawrence

The simplest way to open up space? Restructure the contracts of left tackle Andrew Thomas and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. If the Giants go all-in on this move, they can clear up a solid $22 million.

It’s a no-brainer. These two guys are franchise cornerstones, and unlike some risky restructures, this one won’t come back to haunt them. It’s like pushing back a payment when you know you’ll have the money later—no stress.

Russell Wilson’s Deal: Better Than Expected

Wilson’s contract hasn’t officially hit the books yet, but it’s way more team-friendly than expected. He’s on a one-year deal worth $10.5 million guaranteed, with incentives that could push it to $21 million.

For that full payout, Wilson would need to do more than just play well—he’d have to lead the Giants back to the playoffs for the first time since 2022. But even if he doesn’t hit all the bonuses, he’s still an upgrade over the Daniel Jones–Drew Lock experiment.

Could the Giants Still Draft a QB?

Even after signing Wilson (and Jameis Winston before him), the Giants aren’t ruling out drafting a quarterback. If they’re serious about Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, they won’t hesitate to take him with the No. 3 pick.

Wilson brings stability now, but a young QB like Sanders could be the future. The big question: Are the Giants building for this season, or the next five?

The Emergency Button: Brian Burns

If the Giants need even more cap space, they’ve got one last trick up their sleeve—restructuring Brian Burns’ contract. That could free up another $16 million, but they’d rather avoid it unless absolutely necessary.

In the NFL, things change fast. Injuries, surprise signings, and unexpected moves happen all the time. The Giants might not want to touch Burns’ deal, but having that option in their back pocket gives them flexibility.

Bottom line? The Giants have work to do, and time is ticking.