When the NFL trade deadline came and went on Tuesday at 4 p.m., the New York Giants made a choice: they decided to keep Azeez Ojulari and Darius Slayton.
Many thought the Giants, sitting at 2-7, would make some moves to bring in future draft picks, especially since Ojulari and Slayton are set to become free agents after this season.
But the team valued these players enough to hold onto them, even with offers on the table.
Let’s break down what happened, why the Giants kept them, and what might come next.
First up is Azeez Ojulari, the 24-year-old edge rusher.
Drafted in 2021, Ojulari made a strong start with the Giants, collecting 8.0 sacks in his rookie year.
However, injuries slowed him down in 2022 and 2023, and he missed 16 games over those seasons.
This year, though, he’s been back in a big way, with 6.0 sacks in nine games, including five in his last four games.
Ojulari has been stepping up while Kayvon Thibodeaux, another top pass rusher, is recovering from a wrist injury.
Ojulari’s recent performances caught the attention of several teams, and the Giants reportedly set his price at a fourth- or fifth-round draft pick.
But no team met that offer, so the Giants kept him.
They now have a choice: They can try to re-sign him after this season, or if he leaves as a free agent, they might get a compensatory pick as a backup plan.
When asked about his future, Ojulari kept it simple, saying, “I haven’t been told anything. I’m just taking it one day at a time… Blessed to be here, trying to make the most of every opportunity I get.”
Darius Slayton, the wide receiver, also stayed put.
Since joining the Giants in 2019, Slayton has led the team in receiving yards in four of five seasons.
This year, he’s on pace to hit a career-high 886 receiving yards, which would be his best yet.
Slayton also had to prove himself; the team thought rookie receiver Jalin Hyatt might take his spot, but Slayton held his ground and kept producing.
With 469 yards and a touchdown through nine games, he’s the second-leading receiver on the team this season, right behind rookie Malik Nabers.
And while the Pittsburgh Steelers showed interest in Slayton, no trade deal happened.
Regarding his future, Slayton was calm, saying, “Just see what happens. It’s not my first time being in the buzz during this time of year… I do my job, and where the chips fall, they fall.”
Despite having trade interest, Slayton seemed ready to stay focused on the season.
Giants General Manager Joe Schoen had some trade offers for Ojulari and Slayton but ultimately didn’t want to let either go for a low return.
Schoen has traded key players in past seasons, including Leonard Williams to the Seahawks and Kadarius Toney to the Chiefs, so he’s not afraid of making deals when they make sense.
But this time, he decided that keeping Ojulari and Slayton was more valuable than a small return.
Some might wonder why the Giants didn’t make any trades, especially with their low record.
One reason could be that if Ojulari and Slayton leave in free agency, the Giants could get compensatory picks in 2026.
While those aren’t guaranteed, they’re a safety net if the team can’t re-sign these players.
For now, the Giants plan to keep Ojulari and Slayton on the roster, hoping they can contribute as much as possible for the rest of the season.
Ojulari is now preparing for the Giants’ next game in Germany against the Carolina Panthers, and Slayton will continue as a key receiver.
Both players still have the rest of the season to prove their value, either for a potential new contract with the Giants or to draw attention from other teams.
While their futures with the Giants remain uncertain, keeping them shows that the team values what they bring to the field.
Giants fans get to see two talented players giving it their all for the rest of the season.
For now, the Giants are betting on the present, hoping Ojulari and Slayton make a difference in every remaining game.