For 13 years, from mid-2004 to mid-2017, the New York Giants relied on a single starting quarterback—Eli Manning. In contrast, the 2024 season saw them rotate through four different quarterbacks. The Giants found themselves in uncharted territory, experimenting with their quarterbacks on a weekly basis as the season progressed. Following the release of Daniel Jones and injuries to Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito, Tim Boyle stepped in to take the field. Now, with the third pick in the upcoming draft, along with some financial resources, the Giants are in search of a new quarterback.
It’s widely anticipated that the Giants will have a new signal-caller in 2025, but the identity of that player remains uncertain. Speculation suggests that the team could pursue Matthew Stafford, who has been granted permission by the Rams to explore potential trades. General manager Joe Schoen made a revealing statement at the NFL Scouting Combine, emphasizing the importance of finding a quarterback. “I’m for taking swings at that position. It’s the most important position, and it’s hard to find them. So, keep swinging. Keep swinging at the position until you find one,” Schoen remarked.
The free agency class features notable names such as Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, Jameis Winston, and potentially Aaron Rodgers, with Kirk Cousins also a possibility. Stafford is viewed as the primary trade target, but the Giants could also consider drafting Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders with their third overall pick.
Schoen acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the draft, stating, “We don’t know what’s going to happen in the draft. We don’t know who’s going to be there. When we get around these kids, they may or may not be a fit for us. We’re going to have to address the position somewhere. We’re going to look at vets. We’re going to look at the draft. We’re going to look at trade candidates. We’re going to look under every rock to find the best quarterback for us going into the 2025 season.”
He hinted at the possibility of bringing in a veteran quarterback, saying, “Even if you get a young quarterback, you’d like to have a vet in the room with him to show him the ropes, how to be a pro.” This suggests that the Giants are likely to pursue a veteran presence alongside any new talent.
Despite a dismal 3-14 season, the franchise’s worst in years, Giants co-owner John Mara chose to retain both Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll. Daboll has emphasized the need for strong quarterback play to achieve success, a sentiment echoed by Schoen. “It would be nice to have one guy out there who gives you the best chance to win games and also stay healthy. Again, that is an important position, and we need better play out of that position than what we’ve had, and that will really help us,” he stated.
The NFL free agency period is set to begin on March 14.
