The New York Giants enter the 2024 regular season with a renewed focus on solidifying their struggling offensive line. After surrendering a league-worst 85 sacks in the previous year, general manager Joe Schoen prioritized bolstering the line during the offseason. This led to the additions of experienced veteran offensive linemen Jon Runyan Jr., Jermaine Eluemunor, Greg Van Roten, and Aaron Stinnie. The Giants invested $25 million in guaranteed money to bring in these players, who collectively boast 178 regular season starts. Now, as they prepare to face the Minnesota Vikings in their season opener on Sunday, the Giants' offensive line will be put to the test.

The road to establishing a cohesive offensive line was not without its challenges for the Giants during the preseason. Early on, the projected line configuration underwent changes due to injuries and the arrival of new signings. Right tackle Evan Neal, originally expected to start, was sidelined as he recovered from ankle surgery. This prompted Eluemunor to shift to right tackle and Runyan to move to left guard. Stinnie stepped in as the right guard until Van Roten joined the team. Additionally, center John Michael Schmitz was temporarily replaced by Van Roten due to a shoulder injury. It was only after the final preseason game that the Week 1 starting offensive line had the opportunity to practice together, prompting head coach Brian Daboll to jokingly commemorate the occasion with a photo.

This Sunday, the Giants' offensive line will face a formidable challenge as they take on the Minnesota Vikings and their aggressive, complex defense. Under the guidance of defensive coordinator Brian Flores, the Vikings led the league in blitz percentage last year. However, their defense goes beyond just blitzing. They also topped the league in various coverages, pressure, and utilized multiple looks, fronts, and personnel groupings. Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka emphasized the importance of being prepared for the Vikings' defensive schemes and noted the need to execute their game plan effectively.

Left tackle Andrew Thomas, considered the best player on the Giants' offensive line, highlighted the significance of teamwork, communication, and adherence to rules in handling the Vikings' aggressive defense. Center John Michael Schmitz, the only offensive lineman on his rookie contract, will rely on the experience and knowledge of his veteran teammates to overcome the lack of practice time as a unit. The Giants' offensive line will have to draw upon their familiarity with facing Flores-coached defenses, with Eluemunor mentioning his past encounters against Flores and the New England Patriots.

While familiarity with the opponent is beneficial, Eluemunor emphasized the need for trust in technique and effective communication among the offensive line. The Giants' offensive line has spent time studying film, aiming to execute their blocks and provide quarterback Daniel Jones with the necessary protection to make plays downfield.

The Giants can take solace in the fact that the right side of their offensive line, consisting of Van Roten and Eluemunor, has prior experience playing together with the Las Vegas Raiders. Their existing chemistry and understanding of each other's playing style should benefit their performance. As the Giants' offensive line continues to develop their cohesion, the collective experience and knowledge of the veteran linemen could prove crucial in overcoming challenges posed by the Vikings' defense.

Despite the uncertainties surrounding the offensive line, both coaches and players express confidence in their abilities. Giants' head coach Brian Daboll commends their progress, while quarterback Daniel Jones praises their performance throughout training camp. The team aims to start the season on a positive note and put the struggles of the previous year behind them.

Sunday's matchup against the aggressive Minnesota defense will serve as a litmus test for the Giants' offensive line. If they can effectively navigate the complexities of the Vikings' defensive schemes, it could be an encouraging sign for the team's prospects in the upcoming season.