Giants' Jermaine Eluemunor glad to make John Harbaugh a believer

Giants offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor looks on from the tunnel... — Giants offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor looks on from the tunnel prior to a game against the Eagles on Jan. 5, 2025, in Philadelphia, Pa. Credit: Getty Images/Emilee Chinn

By Evan Barnesevan.barnes@newsday.com evan_bUpdated March 12, 2026 7:19 pm

Jermaine Eluemunor was among the Giants’ most stylish players when arriving for games. It carried over Thursday when he spoke on a Zoom call after re-signing with the team.

The right tackle picked out a custom-made teal suit from Gentlemen’s Playbook, a menswear business in New Jersey that’s styled him and other pro athletes. Inside the jacket lining were pictures of Eluemunor’s two daughters.

“I said, ‘Hey, God willing, I’m going to sign the biggest contract of my life, and I want a suit that matches the occasion,’ ” Eluemunor said.

He got his wish, signing a three-year, $39 million contract, including $26 million guaranteed. The guaranteed money nearly doubled his initial two-year contract he signed with the Giants in 2024 for $14 million total.

Last year was also the first time he played exclusively at one position for an entire season. As a result, he played 1,000 snaps for the first time in his career.

“I didn’t really want to go anywhere else,” he said. “So, I was hoping that we could work it out where I could come back here and I could continue to do what I’ve been doing here. And now I’m just really glad it all worked out.”

Eluemunor got the second- highest contract the Giants awarded a free agent this offseason. The team also officially announced signings for tight end Isaiah Likely (three years, $40 million) and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (three years, $36 million).

Although the Giants lost out on retaining receiver Wan’Dale Robinson and cornerback Cor’Dale Flott, bringing back Eluemunor means keeping stability on the offensive line. For now, four starters from last season are on the roster.

The Giants still need more depth at guard and center. Because of their cap space, it’s unlikely they’ll make any more big splashes and will spend on cheaper alternatives.

Eluemunor also appreciated the love he felt from fans on social media during his time here. It was unlike anything he experienced before in his career and that factored into his decision,

“I’ve been in a lot of places where things have been said negatively to me, or just fans haven’t really liked me,” he said. “I don’t know why that was because of, but being here in New York and the type of reception I’ve gotten and just the love that’s been shown to me that I just never expected it. It’s been really cool.”

It’s a journey that new teammate and fullback Patrick Ricard can understand. Ricard signed with the Giants this week and reunited with Eluemunor after both were drafted by the Ravens in 2017.

Ricard saw how Eluemunor only played two seasons in Baltimore then bounced around looking for a steady home. He admired the persistence and he could tell how much Eluemunor loved New York and New Jersey by how he recruited him to sign with the Giants.

“It’s just a full-circle moment,” Ricard said Thursday. “He was just telling me how great this place is, and how much I’m going to love it, and how much I’m going to love just my teammates, the city. And he couldn’t have said anything you know better about this place.”

Eluemunor also relished the chance to play for coach John Harbaugh again. He conceded that he wasn’t a good enough player when the Ravens traded him after the 2018 season.

But he was glad that his improved play made Harbaugh a believer. It’s a reunion that makes his re-signing feel sweeter.

“It was really cool just to be able to sit in front of him and just see him again and let him see the man I’ve become,” Eluemunor said. “I’ve grown a lot, matured a lot, and coming into my own as a player and as a person, and I’m just really glad that Coach Harbs gets to see that.”

n WR Austin joins for 1 year

The Giants added to their wide receiver corps by signing Calvin Austin III to a one-year deal, according to a league source. The deal is worth $1.5 million base salary with incentives that could push it up to $4.5 million.

Austin played the last four seasons with the Steelers. The 5-9 receiver caught 31 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns last season while also being utilized as a punt returner.

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.com evan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.

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