The New York Giants need a quarterback, and they'll accomplish that by virtually any means necessary. Perhaps that'll come with the No. 3 pick, but there's a chance they trade up to ensure they get their guy. If not the NFL Draft, free agency will also provide New York with options to start, even if it's just as a bridge to 2026.
The crown jewel of the Giants offseason may instead lie on the trade block. The Los Angeles Rams have given quarterback Matthew Stafford permission to seek a trade. This is more so to establish a market for the quarterback and give Los Angeles an out should negotiations stall out, but a trade remains possible.
New York should come calling, but other teams would love the fringe-Hall-of-Fame quarterback's services, too.
However, the Giants' struggles reveal their standing among Stafford's trade suitors.
1. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams remain both the likeliest and best option for Stafford's short-term future. He led Los Angeles within a possession of the NFC Championship Game, has elite head coach Sean McVay calling the shots, and can enjoy the services of receiver Puka Nacua and running back Kyren Williams.
Stafford quarterbacks a good team with legitimate Super Bowl hopes. The only thing getting in the way is potential hang ups over his next deal. If they can reasonably get an extension done, they will, and Stafford will compete for the playoffs as he approaches retirement.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
If the Giants aren't first in line for Stafford, the Steelers might be. Desperately looking for a path out of quarterback purgatory, Stafford can take a team locked into mediocrity and make them competitive in a stacked AFC.
The weaponry at his disposal is worse than what New York can offer, but with a strong offensive line and defense – along with the well-respected head coach Mike Tomlin – Pittsburgh has plenty of pull. The Steelers could also offer No. 21, when the Giants would hesitate to include No. 3 in a potential package.
3. New York Jets
The Jets are fairly similar to their cross-stadium counterparts. They need a quarterback, don't have the recent successes to demand respect, and are facing a ton of pressure with head coach Aaron Glenn hoping to get off to a fast start (rather than Brian Daboll looking to save his job).
The biggest difference between the two East Rutherford landing spots is the talent waiting for him in the Jets' locker room. Receiver Garrett Wilson, running back Breece Hall, a couple of defensive All-Pros, and left tackle Olu Fashanu is quite the the cast (although it obviously didn't work in 2024).
4. New York Giants
Malik Nabers. That's the pitch. New York can offer a superstar receiver, along with some ancillary pieces on the offensive line and with running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. It's not the prettiest landing spot, it's not his best chance to win a Super Bowl, and it's not even the safest long-term situation, given the jobs on the line.
But the Giants can offer him the extension he wants, the soft factors of playing in* New York, and the chance to play with one of the game's rising stars. If the defense takes a leap in 2025, perhaps that might land him another shot at taking down the Philadelphia Eagles.
5. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are gaining hype because of owner Tom Brady and head coach Pete Carroll. It's closer to Los Angeles than the rest of his suitors and tight end Brock Bowers is arguably the best tight end in football after just a single season.
Basically everything else is a concern. The run game was cataclysmic in 2024, the defense struggled, there's little upside at receiver, and the draft capital a Stafford trade would demand puts a dent on high-level reinforcements.
There's little reason for Stafford to try and compete with the elite quarterbacks and head coaches that continue to make the Raiders fodder for their own playoff runs.
