The New York Giants are a lock to add a veteran quarterback in free agency. With no rostered quarterbacks, they can't afford to head into the NFL Draft without at least one passer on the roster.
Thus, New York can improve under center and insulate the room for the event in which both first-round quarterbacks are off the board at No. 3. It's just a matter of finding out who that veteran will be.
Fortunately for general manager Joe Schoen, there's no shortage of castaway quarterbacks in free agency.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold earned himself millions in 2024. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields both exceeded expectations with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Aaron Rodgers will be available, and Jameis Winston and Jimmy Garoppolo add contrasting paths to semi-competent quarterbacking.
One Wilson rumor from ESPN offers the Giants a short-term solution to their quarterback problem.
"Wilson loved his season in Pittsburgh and is open to returning but is taking a see-what-happens approach to it all," Jeremy Fowler wrote. "Ex-Pete Carroll assistants believe Wilson could coexist with Carroll for the Raiders, too, having mended fences from their Seattle days. But others around the league are skeptical of the pairing. Wilson has also been connected to the Giants by a few people this week. He visited with the Giants last free agency, and New York is on his radar as a potential option in 2025."
Wilson had a late start to his 2024, but won six of his first seven starts to help show the Steelers and potential 2025 destinations that he could still be a starting quarterback.
In 11 games, Wilson threw for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions. The traditional "moon balls" that defined his game continued to hit, and there's reason to believe he meshes well with head coach Brian Daobll, who stressed an explosive passing offense ahead of the 2024 season.
However, Wilson's collapse in the final month of the season left a sour taste in the mouths of Pittsburgh's decision-makers. Wilson's struggles in the quick game and over the middle of the field are concerns, and he no longer has the mobility to create explosives and avoid sacks frequently.
Wilson offers New York more competency than it saw in 2024, but paying starter-level prices for a passer who offers less upside than a potential rookie won't earn Schoen much praise. If he's being paid like a fringe starter and keeps the seat warm for said rookie, the Giants can be a fit, but hoping he elevates a mediocre supporting cast to playoff attention feels lofty – and a risk Schoen isn't likely to take.
