On the same day the Giants traded for more offensive line help, center Jon Halapio signed his exclusive rights free agent tender, the team announced.
Halapio broke Giants training camp as the team's starting center, as the Giants were highly impressed with his transition from guard to center. However, it was short-lived with Halapio suffering a season-ending injury after two games. Now, Halapio returns to the Giants at a league-minimum salary under the ERFA tender with hopes he can get back to the form he was at the beginning of last season.
The 27-year-old Halapio signed the same day the Giants struck a trade with the Browns to exchange DE Olivier Vernon for G Kevin Zeitler. According to Pro Football Focus, Zeitler was one of the best guards in the NFL last season, especially in pass-blocking. He allowed a pressure once every 58 pass-blocking snaps, which led all guards.
So, on paper, the Giants' offensive line looks to only be lacking a solid right tackle. Nate Solder and Will Hernandez will man the left side once again, and they will look to take their second-half chemistry from last season into this year. And Halapio will have Zeitler on his right side if the Giants do indeed want him back at center.