The New York Giants have a problem—actually, several—but let’s focus on the offensive line, which has been a mess for years.
With the quarterback still up in the air, the priority has to be making sure whoever ends up under center isn’t constantly under pressure.
That brings us to the latest trade speculation involving Los Angeles Chargers lineman Trey Pipkins II, a player with experience but whose recent performances raise more questions than answers.
Pipkins has spent five seasons in the NFL, mostly at right tackle, before shifting inside to right guard last year.
His numbers tell an inconsistent story—solid in 2022 when he allowed just two sacks with a 5.0% pressure rate over 14 starts but much shakier in 2023 when those numbers jumped to 10 sacks and a 7.1% pressure rate.
Last season, he moved to right guard, where he surrendered six sacks and 29 pressures, making it unclear whether the transition helped or simply exposed new issues.
Financially, Pipkins is not a bad option for a team looking for veteran help.
Entering the final year of his three-year deal with a $6.75 million salary in 2025, he offers versatility at a reasonable price, which is why the Giants might see him as a potential upgrade.
The real question, however, is whether the Chargers are even willing to move him.
With $90.692 million in cap space—the second-most in the NFL—the Chargers aren’t in a position where they need to offload contracts, and Pipkins, despite his inconsistent play, still holds value.
Trading him would save them $6.75 million, but unless they have a solid replacement lined up, they’d be creating another hole in their offensive line rather than fixing one, especially since their bigger concern right now is at center.
For the Giants, acquiring Pipkins could provide some much-needed flexibility.
The team recently signed Jermaine Eluemunor, who is expected to take over at right tackle, but if they brought in Pipkins, they could consider moving Eluemunor inside to right guard while Pipkins returns to tackle.
That might make more sense than keeping Pipkins at guard, where his struggles last season suggest he’s not entirely comfortable.
Either way, the move would stabilize the right side of the line while giving New York the chance to draft and develop a young offensive lineman for the future.
The biggest issue in making this trade happen is figuring out what the Giants must give up.
Pipkins isn’t a Pro Bowler, but he’s still a starting-caliber lineman, and the Chargers won’t just give him away for a late-round pick unless they already have a plan to replace him.
Meanwhile, the Giants have plenty of holes to fill and can’t afford to be reckless with their draft capital, especially for a player whose fit on their offensive line isn’t entirely clear.
It all comes down to whether Schoen sees Pipkins as a legitimate solution or just another patchwork fix.
If the Chargers are open to moving him and the price is right, the Giants could consider it.
If not, other options in free agency and the draft might make more sense in the long run.
So, is a trade for Pipkins possible?
Sure.
Is it likely?
Not really.
But in the NFL, things change fast; sometimes, all it takes is the right offer at the right time.
The Giants need solutions, and if they think Pipkins can be part of one, it never hurts to ask.
