For the New York Giants, the 2025 offseason presents an ideal opportunity to replicate the same offseason steps the Minnesota Vikings did last year: a dual approach acquisition at the quarterback position. After moving on from Daniel Jones, it’s time for the Giants to make bold moves to address their quarterback situation this offseason. Here’s how the Giants can draft a quarterback in the NFL Draft and sign a proven veteran in free agency.
The Vikings Set the Blueprint for Building a Successful Quarterback Room
Drafting a Quarterback and Adding through Free Agency
When Kirk Cousins agreed to a massive four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons, he ended his time in Minnesota after six seasons. The Vikings then had to start looking elsewhere, making several drastic moves. The Vikings began by adding Sam Darnold last March, signing the veteran to a one-year, $10 million deal. The addition of Darnold through free agency was the beginning of the Vikings’ rebuilding in the quarterback room.
A month later, the Vikings drafted quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick, which they acquired from a trade with the New York Jets. Despite McCarthy not playing a single snap this season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee, the Vikings still added a rookie in the mix.
Having a rookie quarterback learn under a veteran quarterback allows McCarthy to expand his knowledge of the game at the professional level without even touching the field. McCarthy, now in 2025, is expected to be ready to play. In fact, Darren Wolfson stated that they are “100% confident” JJ McCarthy — who has resumed on-field football activities — will be prepared to play real football games by September when the regular season kicks off.”
The Giants Quarterback Room Needs a New Start
Giants co-owner John Mara emphasized the need to overhaul the quarterback room this offseason, calling it an “utmost priority.” The Giants front office has been given new life after moving on from Jones. In a perfect world, General Manager Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll would draft their guy in April.
However, that is no guarantee, with two teams ahead of them in the NFL Draft order that also need quarterbacks: the Tennesee Titans and Cleveland Browns. If either Sheduer Sanders or Cameron Ward are available when the Giants hit the clock with the third overall pick, they will select one of the two.
Draft a Quarterback, No Matter What: Plan A
The 2025 quarterback class is not particularly strong, especially outside of Sanders and Ward. However, these two quarterbacks are significantly different players despite being the two favorites. The differences in their play style could impact how things play out at the top of the draft. Bleacher Report’s NFL scouting department has Ward (No. 6) ranked as the only quarterback among the top 15 overall prospects. Sanders is the No. 2 quarterback in the class at No. 16 overall. No other player at the position has a first-round grade.
Ward is a prototype dual-threat with a big tool bag; he will be called on for designed runs in the NFL and play calls that allow him to push the ball downfield. Sanders, on the other hand, is more of an accurate playmaker. His athleticism and leadership qualities are shown by making the right decisions under pressure in the pocket.
Draft a Quarterback: Plan B
If Ward and Sanders are off the board, the Giants’ front office can not panic in this situation. Instead, they need to be prepared for this scenario to play out in which one of two things needs to happen. Scenario one involves grabbing the best available player and then selecting a quarterback in rounds two through seven. If both Ward and Sanders are gone, Colorado’s Travis Hunter or Penn State’s Abdul Carter would be the best available players.
Another scenario would be to trade out of the third pick by trading back and gaining other draft picks if both top quarterbacks are not available. Those asset picks could then be used to trade back into the first round to grab a quarterback or saved and used to potentially trade for a veteran.
The common denominator is that regardless of whether Ward and Sanders are gone, the Giants still need to draft a quarterback. The options most likely in this scenario would be Alabama’s Jalen Milroe or Ole Miss’s Jaxson Dart.
Add a Veteran Quarterback
Veterans like Matthew Stafford or Russell Wilson make sense as short-term options for the Giants. Stafford could be a potential trade suitor if he is unable to finalize a new deal with the Rams. At 36 years old, Stafford still has an elite arm and has proven that he can win games with an average roster. Stafford had a passer rating of 93.7 with 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in playing 16 games this season.
Wilson is coming off a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he completed 64% of his passes and threw for 2,482 yards and 16 touchdowns in 11 games. He has previously shown interest in New York and even visited at the start of last year’s free agency. If the Giants’ offensive line continues to improve, that would help a quarterback like Wilson, who struggled when under pressure with the Steelers. He may not be a long-term option, but if the Giants are looking for consistency in the short term, Wilson could be their guy.
Path to Stability
In conclusion, the Giants should learn from the Vikings’ strategy of combining a seasoned quarterback with a rookie to create stability at the quarterback position. The Vikings’ strategy of selecting a rookie and adding a veteran contributed to them going from a 7-10 record in 2023 to a 14-3 record this season.
Having a veteran in the room offers guidance, allowing the rookie quarterback to learn while also making sure the team doesn’t solely rely on him if necessary. This mix of experience and young talent can result in stronger leadership and a more reliable quarterback situation overall. That is something the Giants desperately need to compete in a tough NFC East.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – Imagn Images
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