Giants OT makes outlandish request before facing Steelers star T.J. Watt on MNF

There's confidence and then there's Jermaine Eluemunor. The veteran offensive tackle has started games for the Ravens, Patriots, and Raiders over the years before joining the New York Giants. But when preparing to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football, Eluemunor's confidence could soon turn to misplaced arrogance.

Recently, the Giants' media caught up with Eluemunor to talk about facing 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, T.J. Watt on MNF. Eluemunor gave respect to Watt, but confidently believes he can handle the elite edge rusher without help in primetime football.

"I'm the most confident guy in this locker room," Eluemunor said on the New York Giants YouTube channel. "I think you can see that through my play this year. I want to be on an island with [T.J. Watt] all day."

Confident? Yes. A wise decision? No.

Eluemunor's request to face T.J. Watt alone is what Steelers want

Eluemunor is a respectable NFL tackle who deservingly earned a two-year, $14 million contract from the Giants during the 2024 offseason -- the biggest deal of his career. The 2017 fifth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens joined the NFL the same year as T.J. Watt. But in terms of talent, Eluemunor isn't in Watt's stratosphere.

Over the past several games, teams have found a way to contain T.J. Watt as a pass rusher. However, this is largely because of the resources being devoted to taking Pittsburgh's best player out of the game.

Against the Jets in Week 7, I counted that Watt was chipped our double-teamed on a combined 29 snaps. On the 12 true one-on-one reps, Watt had against offensive tackle Morgan Moses, quarterback Aaron Rodgers got the ball out of his hands almost instantly -- allowing no time for Watt to wreck the game.

If Eluemunor really wants to be left on an island with T.J. Watt, he better bring his 'A' game. Watt has just 4.5 sacks on the season, but the Steelers star can only be quiet in the box score for so long.

Despite the assignment Jermaine Eluemunor thinks he would like to have against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football, the Giants would be wise not to cave to his request. That's a matchup that wouldn't end well for the offensive tackle or New York's chances of walking away with a win.