Deonte Banks will be playing for his next contract this season.
To no surprise and in accordance with Friday’s deadline for a decision, a source told The Post the Giants declined the fifth-year option on Banks’ contract. The club option was worth a guaranteed $12.6 million in 2027 but instead Banks now will become a free agent after earning $2.6 million in 2026.
It’s not a bad thing for the Giants to have an extra motivated Banks given that his tackling effort has noticeably lacked at times during his career. Head coach John Harbaugh – who considers effort non-negotiable – and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson promised him a “clean slate.”
But Banks, 25, is going to have to work his way up the depth chart after beginning his first three seasons in a prominent role. The Giants are paying big money to Paulson Adebo to man one cornerback spot and have free-agent addition Greg Newsome II and rookie second-round draft pick Colton Hood competing with Banks on the other side, with Dru Phillips and Ar’Darius Washington in the slot.
“Tae hasn’t played that great. He’ll tell you that,” Harbaugh said after drafting Hood last week. “But is he capable of playing a lot better? I think he is. That’s on us and on him to get him to play better. So, imagine if he takes this step and what does that do for the room.
“Is Paulson capable of playing better than he did last year? I would say so. Let’s go play at a level we’re capable of. You have Paulson Adebo – a highly-decorated vet in this league – and after what I saw (in three-day minicamp) I thought he looked good. I thought Tae looked really good.”
The Harbaugh-Wilson Ravens were connected to Banks during the lead-up to the 2023 draft but ultimately picked receiver Zay Flowers at No. 22. Two picks later, the Giants selected Banks after a slight trade up.
Banks had a promising rookie season under then-coordinator Wink Martindale but was ill-fitted for the complex zone scheme run by Shane Bowen over the last two seasons. He allowed 71 catches (nine for touchdowns) on 103 targets during that span.
The Giants turned Banks into a kick returner (32.7-yard average with a touchdown) last season just to squeeze something out of his athleticism while Cor’Dale Flott’s ascension to full-timer left Banks buried on the bench. Flott signed with the Titans in the offseason.
Three of the Giants’ last four first-round picks to become eligible for a fifth-year option had it declined: Receiver Kadarius Toney (after he was traded to the Chiefs), offensive lineman Evan Neal and Banks.
Only edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux’s option was exercised.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
