The leadership group of the New York Giants is out of wiggle room.
The franchise made two disastrous decisions when it decided to extend quarterback Daniel Jones on a $160 million contract rather than pay running back Saquon Barkley to return on an extension.
Ultimately, the results were Barkley on the rival Philadelphia Eagles who are about to play in their second Super Bowl in three years (with Barkley among the primary reasons why), and Daniel Jones bound for free agency following the Giants' call to cut him halfway into the first year of his new contract.
New York managed some damage control by drafting star wide receiver Malik Nabers with the No. 6 pick last year, and the team has a chance to potentially pair him with one of the best quarterbacks in the 2025 class via the third overall pick this April.
There is no guarantee that either Cam Ward of Miami or Shedeur Sanders of Colorado will fall out of the top two spots, as both the Tennessee Titans (No. 1) and Cleveland Browns (No. 2) need long-term answers under center as well.
However, the Giants must nail their next quarterback selection or general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are almost certain to be looking for work next offseason.
Part of the decision will be to weigh draft options against possibilities in free agency, while another factor is keeping Nabers happy. The breakout receiver sent the Giants a clear message in this regard by making his preferences for the team's next QB known on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
"I would want to have a vet in there," Nabers told Pro Football Talk Live. "If we decide to pick a rookie, in my eye I would want a vet to be in that same room with that rookie teaching him some stuff so when he’s out there, he’s not just out there in his head [thinking] he has to be the savior of this team. That’s a lot to put on a rookie."
Nabers' idea is decidedly logical, though it could lead to a QB controversy in New York early next season.
That wouldn't be the worst thing, however, as the addition of a player like Justin Fields or Kirk Cousins (assuming he becomes a free agent in March, which is likely) on a one-year contract would provide the Giants with options and allow them to bring a rookie QB along more deliberately in his development.
