One of the more interesting decisions facing the New York Giants this offseason is whether or not to bring starting right guard Greg Van Roten back for another season. As NFL free agency approaches, let’s discuss the pros and cons.
Reasons to keep Van Roten
Van Roten has played reasonably well as the Giants’ starting right guard the past two seasons. Certainly better than the much more highly-paid Jon Runyan Jr. has at left guard.
Van Roten will be 36 later this month. His pro football career started as an undrafted free agent with the Green Bay Packers in 2012 and included a two-year stint with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in 2015 and 2016.
Van Roten remains a useful player, and shows no signs of breaking down as he has played more than 1,000 snaps in each of the last three seasons.
Should he continue to be a starter? That is a different question. Every team needs quality veteran backups who can step in and play competently in an emergency without a ton of practice reps. Van Roten could do that at both guard spots and center.
Spotrac estimates his market value at $5 million for one year. That might be high for Van Roten, who made $3.25 million in 2025. Still, his versatility and experience might make it a worthwhile investment.
Reasons to let Van Roten go
Van Roten will be 36, and he isn’t going to get better. At some point, there will be regression. Maybe you move on before that happens, and Jaxson Dart or your running game pays for it.
Maybe Van Roten won’t be a scheme fit for what offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, senior offensive assistant Greg Roman, and offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren have in mind.
Maybe the Giants think they can get similar play at a cheaper price from Austin Schlottmann, who is also heading to free agency.
Verdict
Keep him.
I have no issue with looking for a starter with more upside, but as I said above there is a lot of value for any offensive line in an experienced, competent player who can be a three-position backup.
