The latest New York Giants news occurred on March 16, as Big Blue hosted veteran interior offensive lineman Ryan Bates to kick off week two of NFL free agency.
The official team “visit” was listed on the daily NFL transaction log. And The Athletic’s Dan Duggan also relayed the Giants’ interest on X.
“The Giants hosted C/G Ryan Bates on a visit, per the transaction wire,” Duggan reported. “Bates was in Buffalo with [Joe] Schoen for three years. He started 15 games at RG for the Bills in 2022. Has barely played in the three seasons since due to injuries.”
A former undrafted prospect out of Penn State, Bates just turned 29 years old in February. As Duggan noted, he was a full-time starter for one full NFL season, blocking for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
Aside from those 17 starts (including the 2022-23 playoffs), Bates has started just 8 more outings throughout his NFL career. He’s appeared in 103 total games, most of which were spent as a backup OL and special teamer.
Bates spent the 2024 and 2025 campaigns with the Chicago Bears.
Giants’ Ryan Bates News Supports Frustrating Guard Report
GettyFormer Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Ryan Bates.
After getting outbid for top-tier guard target Alijah Vera-Tucker and top-tier center target Tyler Linderbaum, the initial thought was that the Giants would be in on the second tier of free agent interior offensive linemen.
However, on March 11, ESPN beat reporter Jordan Raanan relayed a frustrating update.
“After speaking with sources Tuesday, it became clear Giants pivoted and were no longer willing to pay a mid-tier guard. Unless that changes, it eliminates the likelihood of signing a vet like Wyatt Teller, Joel Bitonio or Dylan Parham,” Raanan reported on X on March 11. “In the meantime, they wait out that market.”
That wait has brought them to Bates, a player Schoen has familiarity with.
As depth, the former Bills and Bears blocker seems like a solid fit, but that evaluation changes if Bates is viewed as a starting candidate. The experienced backup has not consistently started games in years, and the Giants shouldn’t be the first to test if he can still hang with the first-team.
New head coach John Harbaugh has expressed an interest in bringing smashmouth football to New York. That plan centers around a strong rushing attack and offensive line.
With that in mind, Bates cannot be the only potential answer at right guard.
Giants Have Prioritized Atypical Positions in NFL Free Agency
Giants fans are giving Harbaugh the benefit of the doubt early on, and the veteran head coach has certainly earned it. Having said that, the Giants have spent their cap space in atypical ways.
While most teams spend big on positions like wide receiver, edge rusher, offensive line, and cornerback, the Giants broke the bank on tight end (Isaiah Likely), punter (Jordan Stout), middle linebacker (Tremaine Edmunds), and fullback (Patrick Ricard).
Now, to be fair, Big Blue did prioritize re-signing right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor. They also brought in two wide receivers with upside on the cheap, in Calvin Austin and Darnell Mooney.
Still, their spending has been unconventional, to say the least. And it could impact plans at right guard.
Who knows, maybe the Giants still have a trick up their sleeve in free agency or the draft, but most fans seem to be in agreement that guard should be a priority. It hasn’t been so far, hence the Bates news.
Giants Look Into Former Bills Starter in Second Wave of NFL Free Agency