New York Giants offensive lineman Andrew Thomas was already one of the NFL Top 100 players in 2023. Now, the All-Pro left tackle is one of the highest-paid NFL players in 2023.
Thomas, the fourth pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, was entering his fourth year in the league. He became eligible for a contract extension after playing three seasons, during which he proved to be one of the best offensive tackles in football.
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- Andrew Thomas stats (PFF): 89.1 overall PFF grade, 3 sacks, 3 hits allowed in 619 pass-blocking snaps, 93 percent pass-block win rate (ESPN)
As first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Giants have signed Thomas to a five-year contract extension worth $117.5 million. The deal keeps him in New York through the 2029 season and includes a record-setting $67 million fully guaranteed at signing, the most ever for an offensive lineman.
The $23.5 million average annual salary makes Thomas the second-highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL, just behind Laremy Tunsil ($25 million AAV). Comparing the two contracts, Thomas received more money in total value ($117.5 million vs $75 million) because he signed a five-year deal as opposed to Tunsil’s three-year agreement.
With Thomas and Dexter Lawrence signed to contract extensions, Saquon Barkley, Xavier McKinney and Sterling Shepard will be the Giants’ top free agents in 2024.
New York Giants invest in core with Andrew Thomas, Daniel Jones contracts
After improving from 4-13 in 2021 to 9-7-1 last season in the first year under head coach Brian Daboll, the New York Giants have worked quickly to keep their core in place. After first signing quarterback Daniel Jones to a contract extension, Thomas and defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence have now joined Jones among the highest-paid Giants players.
New York structured the contracts for each of its stars to help facilitate the other deals. Jones’s contract only carries a $21.75 million cap hit this season, allowing the Giants to spend elsewhere. Thanks to the contract structure Jones agreed to, Lawrence and Thomas could sign extensions.
It’s an investment in some of the most important positions in football. The Giants now have their franchise quarterback at a price that looks even more reasonable following the Justin Herbert extension. Meanwhile, New York is protecting its investment in Jones by making Thomas one of the highest-paid offensive linemen ever.
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While Giants’ general manager Joe Schoen will receive plenty of credit for the extensions and keeping the core players signed long-term, former general manager Dave Gettleman did draft Thomas, Lawrence and Jones.