The New York Giants just signed former NFL passing leader Jameis Winston to a two-year contract, but the team's work at quarterback is far from over.
New York holds the No. 3 pick in the first round of next month's draft, though it's unclear if that selection will be high enough to secure either Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders without trading up. And if the Giants do trade up for either player, there will remain a host of unknowns heading into a 2025 season that is likely make-or-break in nature for GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll as far as their respective job security is concerned.
All of these factors have fed into the Giants extending an offer to free agent Aaron Rodgers and engaging in talks with Russell Wilson. However, those may not be New York's only options to secure an established quarterback.
Here's a trade nobody says no too - The @Giants trade 3 first round picks(includes a pick swap this year) with the @49ers for Brock Purdy. The Niners then sign @AaronRodgers12 to be their starting QB for the 2025 season - ur welcome no need to pat me on the back just happy to…
— Craig Carton (@craigcartonlive) March 21, 2025
"Here's a trade nobody says no too -- The [Giants] trade 3 first round picks (includes a pick swap this year) with the [49ers] for Brock Purdy," Craig Carton of Fox Sports posted to X on March 21. "The Niners then sign [Aaron Rodgers] to be their starting QB for the 2025 season -- [you're] welcome. No need to pat me on the back, just happy to help."
The price of three first-round picks is steep for Purdy, who led the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game in 2022 and the Super Bowl in 2023 after they made him the final pick in the seventh round of the 2022 draft -- known colloquially in the league as "Mr. Irrelevant."
However, the Giants are at a crossroads and Purdy is a proven commodity in the NFL, unlike Sanders or Ward. He's also turn just 26 years old late next season, compared to Rodgers who turns 42 in December and Wilson who will be 37 in November.
Spotrac projects Purdy's market value at nearly $60 million annually over a new four-year contract, which expounds the cost of New York's potential acquisition of him. But he could also prove a 10-year solution under center for a team in desperate need of that exact type of player.
Perhaps the bigger question is whether the 49ers, who purged their roster this offseason, are willing to part with a young QB who could reset the market at the position in free agency next March, or if they made all the sacrifices they did this spring so they could afford to pay Purdy when the time comes.
