The New York Giants could finally make their veteran quarterback decision later today on March 10, as the legal tampering period opens up around the NFL. And according to ESPN NYG beat reporter Jordan Raanan, it’ll most likely come down to one of two candidates.
“As we sit here 17 hours before the start of the free agent negotiating window, it appears the Giants are likely to end up with Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson as their free agent QB signing,” Raanan informed on the evening of March 9.
After the Combine, New York Post reporter Ryan Dunleavy shed some light on why the Giants’ veteran options are so limited heading into NFL free agency.
“‘I don’t think they will be anybody’s first choice,’ one NFL agent whose firm represents multiple quarterbacks told The Post at last week’s NFL Draft Scouting Combine,” Dunleavy relayed on March 4.
Quoting a second NFL agent, who vocalized concerns like; “Can they protect me? Who is calling the plays? How long are the head coach and general manager who sign me going to be there?”
“After coming up short in their pursuit of trading for Matthew Stafford, the Giants are doing homework on Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, Jameis Winston and others who might shake loose once free agency opens next Monday,” Dunleavy continued at the time. “But those quarterbacks — if they have other options — might see some of the same red flags that concerned Stafford enough to take less money and remain with the [Los Angeles] Rams.”
Now that list seems to have dwindled down to Rodgers and Wilson, with someone like Winston as a potential fallback plan if they don’t get either of them.
Giants Insider Highlights ‘Doomsday’ QB Scenario
We mention Winston as a possible emergency option because there is a “doomsday” scenario where the Giants don’t get any of the top QB candidates in free agency. SNY insider Connor Hughes made fans and followers aware of this concerning realization on March 9.
“Doomsday Giants scenario,” he outlined. “Sam Darnold to the [Seattle] Seahawks. Russell Wilson back to the [Pittsburgh] Steelers. Justin Fields to the [New York] Jets. Daniel Jones to the [Indianapolis] Colts. Aaron Rodgers to the [Minnesota] Vikings.”
“Not sure what that would leave NYG with,” Hughes concluded.
All of these potential outcomes have been reported as possibilities by NFL insiders too, so Hughes isn’t just making up these destinations out of thin air. And what if a franchise like the Cleveland Browns then re-signs Winston, just to add another wrinkle, and the Atlanta Falcons also refuse to cut Kirk Cousins?
All of these scenarios have a chance to occur, and that’s the scary part for general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll.
Titans’ QB Plans Remain a Mystery as Giants Look for Answers
The final piece of the puzzle is the Tennessee Titans, and perhaps frustratingly so, their plans remain a mystery to most of the league.
The Titans have been taking their time as they evaluate quarterback prospects like Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders at No. 1 overall, as they should. But the delay has the Giants waiting on eggshells to see if there is a possibility of a trade up to the top spot in the NFL draft.
If the Titans decide to stay at No. 1, and then pick Ward, it could put the Giants in an even tighter predicament — especially if the Browns select Sanders.
All of this is important, even if the Giants target a veteran quarterback either way. Entering the season with Wilson or Rodgers as the starter plus Ward behind them is much more appealing than Wilson or Rodgers and a third or fourth rounder.
And right now, the Big Blue fanbase could use some more intrigue.
