Giants running back Jonathan Stewart “looked more like a plodding veteran running back trying to hang on” during offseason practices than someone who can contribute this season according to Matt Lombardo of NJ Advance Media.
While this seems like a harsh assessment, it is not particularly surprising considering the pedestrian 2017 Stewart posted in his last season with the Carolina Panthers.
Originally the Panthers’ first-round draft pick out of Oregon in 2008, Stewart had spent his entire NFL career with the Panthers before signing a two-year, $6.9 million contract which included an absurd $3.45 million in guaranteed money to join the Giants in March.
Now 31 years old, Stewart had some effective seasons in Carolina but struggled to stay healthy and had only one 1,000+ season there-way back in 2009. He has always been a bit of a plodder and seems to have little left at this point. Lombardo does not expect him to beat out Wayne Gallman for the backup job behind No.2-overall pick Saquon Barkley.