12 New York Giants Who Won't Return Next Season

3. Justin Pugh

Like Jackson, Justin Pugh was terrible in 2023. Unlike Jackson, Pugh hasn't been great in a long time.

Fans were excited to have Pugh back last season after he had been so good during his first stint with the Giants from 2013 to 2017. He'd struggled some in his five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, but that's not a team that has let many players thrive lately.

But it became obvious that Pugh's best years are firmly behind him.

I'll grant him that offensive line play is more unit-dependent than most people give it credit for. It's incredibly hard for fans and even analysts to consistently evaluate an individual lineman separately from the group. Chemistry is so important. That means Pugh didn't have much hope of succeeding as part of a GIants O-line that was flat-out terrible.

But any time that he did make a play that stood out on an individual level, it was standing out for the wrong reasons.

A versatile veteran lineman like Pugh will find a new home next year. He won't be retiring at 33 years old. But considering the way his play has deteriorated in recent years, retirement might actually be his best option.

Either way, his contract is up, and the Giants should not re-sign him.