Bold opening: The Giants have a strong financial reason to pass on Deonte Banks’ fifth-year option, and it’s not just about one season. But here’s where it gets controversial: the numbers and performance trends point to a prudent, no-frills conclusion for a franchise aiming for long-term stability.
The NFL has released the fifth-year option salaries for the 2023 first-round class, and this information directly impacts teams like the New York Giants as they face the May 1 deadline to decide on extensions.
For Giants cornerback Deonte Banks, who was the 24th overall pick, the base salary for his 2027 fifth-year option is $12.633 million, fully guaranteed if exercised. That amount places Banks in the lowest tier because he didn’t meet the performance or playing-time thresholds that would boost his compensation. Given this positioning, the Giants’ path to declining the option seems clear.
Banks has struggled in coverage, recording some of the league’s weakest metrics among qualifying corners over the past three seasons. His targeted-pass numbers have yielded a high passer rating against him, and he even lost his starting role, spending more time on special teams than in the lineup.
There is a twist, however. In 2025, Banks showed noticeable upside as a return specialist—averaging 32.7 yards per kickoff return (second in the NFL), delivering a 95-yard touchdown, and earning two All-Pro votes. Yet, this return-centric value doesn’t sufficiently offset defensive deficiencies, especially given the hefty fifth-year option price.
Additionally, Banks has been floated as a potential trade candidate in the current offseason. His value as a non-starting corner complicates negotiations, making a trade unlikely to fetch more than modest returns and adding another layer to the option decision.
All things considered, declining the fifth-year option appears to be the most straightforward move for the Giants. It would free the organization from a substantial guaranteed commitment and allow them to pursue alternatives that better align with their long-term plans.
What do you think? Is Banks’ special-teams upside enough to justify keeping him on a different path, or does his ongoing defensive gaps outweigh that potential? Share your take in the comments.”}
