EAST RUTHERFORD -- A smile broke across Mike Sullivan's face.

"I always love getting a Brett Jones question," the Giants offensive coordinator said on Thursday.

This wasn't the query posed to Sullivan, but it's still a good one: Will Jones' recent play in place of injured center Weston Richburg change how the Giants approach this coming offseason, and their inevitable offensive line overhaul?

The Giants were always going to be challenged to re-sign both Richburg and guard/tackle Justin Pugh after this year. Both should command interest and lucrative salary offers on the free agent market. The Giants will only have one franchise tag and limited cap space at their disposal.

Entering this year, the presumed scenario was the Giants would keep one and let the other walk. Centers make less and are often deemed a more important position, so many assumed Richburg would end up the Giants' pick in the end.

Jones - as well as Pugh's indispensable two-position performance through the first six games - may be changing that calculus.

Jones is set to start his third straight game at center Sunday against the Seahawks after Richburg was ruled out again in concussion protocol. The former Canadian Football League star and third-year man has played well in his place, and the Giants' run game has taken off since he entered the lineup (among other changes).

Jones' performance has made this potential scenario worth considering: The Giants tender the soon-to-be restricted free agent at a team-friendly rate. They then move forward with Jones as their 2018 starting center, deciding any drop-off suffered by Richburg's departure is outweighed by the ability to re-sign Pugh without worry. The Giants would likely also look to draft and develop a center in next year's NFL Draft under this plan.

Jones is not a dominant player. He's not going to level players like right guard D.J. Fluker. Then again, Richburg really isn't either. Jones held his own the past few weeks, and the Giants have been pleased with his play. Could they choose to stick with him over Richburg after this season?

"Brett prepares very well," head coach Ben McAdoo said. "He's a smart player, he's cerebral. He studies the game. He's physical, he plays with good pad level, and he has some thickness to him. He finishes."

The finishing is something to examine, especially in the run game. There have been plenty of variables involved in the Giants' recent ground game resurgence.

Fluker has made an impact, as has Pugh after the move back to tackle. Orleans Darkwa and Wayne Gallman have become the featured backs. Sullivan is calling plays. The Giants have faced some poor opposing run defenses (and the Broncos' top-ranked one).

All could be reasons why the Giants' moribund rushing attack has turned around of late. The numbers also suggest the Giants can't sleep on Jones' impact. It's impossible to say Jones has been the key, but the statistics are attention-grabbing.

When Richburg was knocked out of the Giants' Week 4 loss to the Buccaneers with his concussion, he had played every offensive snap up to that point in the year. The Giants were averaging 3.1 yards-per-rush on the season and 3 on the day when he exited against Tampa Bay.

The Giants averaged 4 yards per run after Jones entered the game, and they've averaged 5.1 yards-per-carry with him at center on an almost-equal number of attempts - 68 with Richburg, 64 with Jones.

"He has an ability to be very persistent, stay on guys, particularly when he's blocking back," Sullivan said. "He's got good technique, and he's strong and he's tough."

Richburg will likely reclaim the center job once he exits concussion protocol. McAdoo has had injured linemen return from injury to find their job lost in his tenure, but it has never happened with a player as established and regarded as Richburg. Even with Jones' solid play, the Giants likely see Richburg as the better option once ready.

The real suspense upon Richburg's return lies with the guard spots. Jones was considered the Giants' best backup lineman to start the season; will he go back to the bench after starting several games, or will he bump Fluker or John Jerry out of the lineup?

McAdoo and his staff will have to figure some things out. But those are questions the Giants don't have to grapple with for now. Nor do they need to deal with the future of their center position. But if Jones stays healthy and productive, finding the ultimate answers will become more challenging, and the Giants' path forward on the line after this season could have an unexpected turn.

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James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.