When the Giants drafted Andrew Thomas in 2020, the hope was clear: anchor the left side of the offensive line for the next decade. Five years in, Thomas has proven to be exactly that — a stabilizing presence in a franchise that has often been searching for consistency up front. But now, as New York heads into another critical divisional showdown with the Eagles, Thomas is emphasizing not just his own play, but the chemistry of the entire line — especially his partnership with right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor.
Building a Bookend Partnership
For years, Giants fans have watched Thomas excel on one side of the line while the other side remained a revolving door. That appears to be changing with Eluemunor, who has stepped into the right tackle role with confidence and versatility.
“I think Jermaine has done a great job,” Thomas said. “Even going back to last year, having to switch when I went down, it’s not an easy thing, but I thought he handled that pretty well. He’s a great player and I think, up front as a unit, we’re all playing pretty well together.”
Thomas notes that it’s more than just physical performance — it’s the constant communication and shared adjustments that elevate them. “We’re always having conversations about techniques,” he explained. “Obviously, certain players do different things and as offensive linemen, we have different strengths and weaknesses, so we bounce ideas off each other, things with the cadence, just trying to get an advantage any time we can.”
That kind of collaboration has been missing in recent years. For Thomas, the idea of forming a long-term pairing — the way Philadelphia has with Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata — is enticing. “For sure,” he said. “When you play well up front, you give your team a chance to win and we want to do that.”
The Eagles Challenge
The Giants’ win over Philadelphia earlier this month was one of their most complete performances of the season, but Thomas knows it will mean little if they can’t replicate it in the rematch.
“I think we did a great job last game, but it’s a new opportunity,” he said. “(Eagles defensive tackle) Jalen Carter didn’t play last game. Obviously, he’s a great player, so we’ve got to do our job up front, controlling him and running the ball like we did last game.”
Thomas doesn’t mince words about Carter’s impact. “He changes a lot. Obviously, a dynamic pass rusher in the run game. He does things that are a little different than other guys… but he makes the plays. So, we just have to have our technique right, our eyes right to stop him.”
And then there’s the veteran presence of Brandon Graham, who Thomas expects will bring both leadership and energy. “Yeah, he always talks, always has a good time, but he’s a great player. Obviously, it provides leadership to that group. I know they’re going to come out with juice. We know his moves. He knows what I do, we’ve just got to compete.”
Breaking the Philly Drought
One storyline that has followed the Giants for years is their inability to consistently win in Philadelphia. For Thomas, though, the past has no bearing on Sunday.
“Don’t really think about that,” he said. “To get in the playoffs, you’ve got to win in the division, so we’re trying to do our best to do that. But once the ball snaps, we’re not thinking about the previous history, we’re just trying to win that snap.”
It’s a mindset that underscores what this Giants team is trying to build: resilience in the moment, rather than dwelling on history.
Confidence in the Group
Despite a tough loss last week that slowed their momentum, Thomas insisted the locker room remains steady. “I don’t think we’re lacking confidence as a team,” he said. “I think we’ve shown that we can compete. It’s just about executing in the moments that matter. That’s our mindset going into this week.”
Individually, Thomas remains critical of himself — a perfectionist even as he continues to be one of the league’s premier tackles. “I think I’m playing okay,” he admitted. “There are some things that I want to tighten up, especially in the run game. And I think that just takes time. I’m getting the continuity back and my body too, just getting adjusted to playing this much and missing training camp.”
The Bigger Picture
For the Giants, everything comes back to identity. Their offensive line — long a sore spot — is slowly turning into a strength, led by Thomas and boosted by Eluemunor. Their ability to control the trenches will dictate whether they can not only compete, but also win consistently in a division dominated by physical fronts.
Thomas knows the formula. Play clean, play physical, and play together. The Eagles bring a relentless pass rush and a history of dominance in this rivalry, but the Giants’ blindside protector isn’t focused on the past.
It’s about each snap, each rep, and each chance to prove that the Giants’ offensive line is no longer the weakness it once was.
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