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.…