The New York Giants have an empty quarterback room, and the most likely solution is some combination of a fringe starter in free agency and a rookie, if possible, in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
In a mediocre quarterback class, that doesn’t inspire much more confidence than the inherent optimism a first-round passer brings to the table.
While New York has its sight set on an easily accessible starter, the possibility of a star accelerating the rebuild remains a distant possibility.
Subsequently, recent speculation about Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford trade rumors are teasing Giants fans with the hope of quality quarterbacking.
In a recent Sports Illustrated report, Albert Breer suggested that New York will be among the potential suitors.
“I know how his coaches feel about him and the job he’s done, and clearly, the goal is to work this all out. But these are fair questions,” Breer wrote.
“And teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers or Giants certainly will pay attention to how this plays out. As they should.”
The Rams don’t intend on trading Stafford, but he isn’t likely to play on his current contract. Per Over the Cap, 14 quarterbacks average more annual value on their contracts, and 15 have more fully guaranteed money. Reworking his deal makes sense, but it isn’t immediately clear how much Los Angeles is willing to commit to a passer in his age-37 season.
To Stafford’s credit, he’s well past the doubts that surrounded him after the Super Bowl hangover that haunted the Rams in 2022. He threw for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions on the way to the Divisional Round.
If New York can swing a deal for Stafford, there’s reason to believe the Giants would benefit, even if the quarterback isn’t hoisting a Lombardi Trophy with his final franchise. He would instantly provide an air of credibility and give head coach Brian Daboll the best quarterback of his New York tenure.
Stafford would provide the opportunity to evaluate the roster and elevate a team that’s been held back by its quarterback for too long. The Giants would hypothetically become relevant, saving jobs in the process and helping to make East Rutherford a destination for other veterans.
If it’s at the cost of a first-round pick, New York may be unwilling to pull the trigger. Little hope of a Super Bowl doesn’t push Stafford toward the East Coast, either. But there’s an unlikely world in which the Giants emerge as serious contenders for a high-level passer.
If that’s the case, it would behoove New York to get a deal across the finish line, making East Rutherford football fun again and paving a new path for the franchise, even if it delays the arrival of a young franchise quarterback.
