Giants reportedly benching former first-round pick in Week 3

The New York Giants have seen their offensive struggles from last year spill into the 2018 season, and they have decided to make a significant change ahead of Sunday’s game in hopes of correcting some of those issues.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the Giants are benching right tackle Ereck Flowers against the Houston Texans. Flowers was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Second-year pro Chad Wheeler is expected to start in his place.

A little breaking news from @gmfb Weekend: The #Giants are benching RT Ereck Flowers and installing talented but undrafted Chad Wheeler as his replacement. pic.twitter.com/CwONflN8Ik

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 23, 2018

Flowers was moved to right tackle from left tackle this season after the Giants signed Nate Solder to a four-year, $62 million contract. The 24-year-old was unhappy with the move and skipped the start of the team’s offseason program.

While the Giants have had plenty of issues beyond Flowers on offense, the former first-round pick has had a target on his back since early last season. His benching isn’t a huge surprise.