Andrew Thomas, NY Giants agree on mega contract extension worth $117.5 million
EAST RUTHERFORD -- Andrew Thomas wanted you to call him the worst offensive lineman in the NFL.
Seriously, the New York Giants left tackle promised he would not be bothered by the fact that the criticism of his game has turned to praise. Because he knows the journey he took to get to where he is now as one of the league's best at left tackle, validated by his play, his presence and the mammoth contract the Giants gave him Wednesday as training camp opened for the 2023 season, his fourth.
"They called me a bust, but it was my job not to listen, to keep working and improving," Thomas told NorthJersey.com in an interview last November. "You definitely hear it, but you can't let the noise affect you."
The Giants made a loud statement regarding how they feel about Thomas and his development as a player.
Another day, another contract announcement for general manager Joe Schoen, and this one was another for a player viewed league-wide as an organizational pillar.
Thomas and the Giants signed a mega five-year extension worth $117.5 million, $67 million guaranteed. He will be under contract with the team that drafted him No. 4 overall back in 2020 for the next seven years.
Schoen and the Giants have now handed out $367.5 million in contracts this offseason to Daniel Jones, Dexter Lawrence and Thomas. For the 24-year-old Thomas, the $67 million guarantee at signing is the most ever for an offensive lineman in NFL history, breaking Ronnie Stanley's previous record at $64 million.
As a rookie, Thomas allowed 10 sacks and was often left questioning his own technique and ability to stop rushers from spinning him like a top both in the run game and in pass protection. Three years and five offensive line coaches later, while others saw marked improvement and a high level of execution, Thomas continued to dig to fix flaws in his game.
Last season, Thomas often spoke of missed assignments, being more consistent with his landmarks and continuing to pass off defenders with better regularity. The Giants appreciated the self-deprecation - anyone who strives for greatness would - but they also swatted aside his evaluation the way Thomas has ultimately done to his critics'.
"I can go on and on about all the strengths," Schoen said of Thomas last season. "The weakness box is going to be close to empty."
Thomas said the twists and turns in his journey as a professional paved the way to where he is now.
"I think all of that helped me build my character," Thomas said. "It’s what I’ve been through - different staffs, ups and downs as a player - and honestly, it’s the same mentality. Obviously, I’m paid now, I’m secure now, but I’m still working the same approach [I had] when I wasn’t performing well. People didn’t think I deserved to be here, so that’s the same approach that I have now."
Asked Wednesday if he is the best left tackle in football, Thomas said: "I think there’s more to prove."
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Andrew Thomas contract extension with NY Giants for 5 years, $117.5M
